Purling Sprite

The Pink Series 10K, Report

I love when I can run for a cause and this race allowed me to do just that! The proceeds benefit UCREW (Utah Cancer Resource and Education for Women). It was the first all-women's 10K in Logan and we had a great showing for the first time, over 120 women came to support the cause.

The day started perfect for a race, low temperature and we even had a little bit of wind to push us through the first mile. A sea of pink welcomed me as I arrived to the starting line with only 10 minutes to spare, hubby decided to drop me off at the starting line rather than me loading the bus one hour before. I love that man! I was able to sleep in an extra half hour :).

  As the race started, the sea of pink started dispersing here and there but on this day you could see pink every few minutes out on the road. It was a beautiful sight!

The volunteers were amazing too! They were cheerful and full of energy as we passed and they just screamed and supported us all along the way. Yes, even our male volunteers were tough enough to wear pink in support of our cause! LOOOVE it!

My family rode along the course snapping pictures and cheering me on. I took off a little too fast at the beginning but gave it my all during the entire course. I went with a goal time of 45 minutes and according to my Garmin, I came in at 45:03--close enough to make me super stoked! And fast enough to place me 3rd overall! First time ever that I place in the overall standings.

I loved the race so much that I registered for the next Pink Series event--the Half Marathon. I probably won't have much in the tank to run it as it is just a week after St. George Marathon but I am doing it for a greater cause than just me.

Official time: 45:28 (Garmin 45:03)

Place: 3rd Overall

 

Spudman 2011

When it comes to fun, there is only one thing that comes to mind--Spudman Tri! I love it. It is one of those triathlons where I meet a ton of people whom I admire and inspire me. I love seeing them each year as they come together and do this race just for fun. I love their camadeire, their support, their charismatic personalities and most of all, I love that I can be a part of this great event.

This year, I decided to go in the Elite wave, not because I am "Elite" but because some of my friends told me I would enjoy the experience even more. They were right, partly, I loved the less crowded swim portion. It was quite pleasant to swim in the open water without too much of splashing around me, I actually moved away from all the other swimmers just so that I could have a nice comfortable swim. At one point, I spotted something orange and I thought it was the end of the swim so I started swimming towards it, only to find out that it was a kayak with orange paddles, hahaha! It wasn't much of a delay though, I was back on track soon enough and feeling quite happy with the swim.

Finished the swim in: 17:49.35

The bike was a different story all together. I knew I was going into the race with only 3 previous bike rides on me this season (each one of them a previous race), so I knew I wasn't going to be stellar! But, going in the Elite wave meant that I was up front and I wasn't prepared for what that meant in the cycling portion of the Tri. Peloton after peloton of riders passing me and making me quiver on my bike was not part of the plan. A few times, I thought I was going to pee from the scares they gave me, yelling on the left on the right, on the left, on the right. Seriously, I thought I was competing in Tour de France and I was the bread lady on her cruiser bike! Those elite people can definitely bike! Don't get me wrong, I am not a complete moron on the bike but my 18-19mph did't compare to their 25+mph speeds.  Around mile 18, I told myself that I hated my fat butt (which I don't have) for not training on the bike a bit more. At this point, I found a friend, another girl cyclist that had started in the Elite wave too and was feeling a bit left out. We rode a couple of miles together and that made me feel a bit better. Misery loves company...right?!? After awhile, she took off and I stayed behind. I was doing my best on the beast, spinning as well as I could and trying my best.

Finished the bike portion in 1:22:44

Soon enough, I got to the running leg and I was much too glad to get rid of the bike. At one point in my life, I was really happy with my bike and the great times we had, but since I learn to run, the bike and I don't do very well. I much rather be on my feet and run that sit on the saddle and spin. I feel like I have more control when I am on my feet. Sure enough, I felt confident while on the run, I got out of transition and soon enough I was passing people. I felt great. I knew I could run and I knew I had enough in the tank to get me to the end. The miles flew by and next thing I knew I was at mile 4, at this point something weird happen and I started having some heart palpitations/cramps on my upper chest. I slowed down a bit and concentrated on my breathing, and tried to analyze the pain. I breathed in and out slowly as I continued running, it passed after a few minutes and I picked up the pace again. I love the ending on this race, it is a little grassy downhill where you can sprint to the end and catch those in front of you...always love to give my all to the very end.

Run: 48:30

Total time: 2:34.05, about 30 seconds slower than last year...yah, I know, I am a slacker.

The race was phenomenal! I love it and I am looking forward to participating again next year. I actually came home with just one wish--one day, I hope to bring home a little Spud of my own :).

 

Blacksmith Fork Freedom Run 15K Report

Summer! It goes by super fast! One of my favorite seasons just because I keep super busy doing the things that I LOVE to do.

One July 4th, we went and ran the Blacksmith Fork Freedom Run 15K. It is my second year running it and I really wanted to go out there and give it all I had. It is just 9+ miles so I knew that I could push my body and see if I could place--yes, I admit it. I went to the race with high hopes on placing.

Hubby, my niece and I went up and gave it our all. It was my hubby's second time running it and my niece's first. It was actually the longest run she had ever ran to that date! She did so awesome too! I love her to pieces! :)

 
Hubby was ahead of me the entire time, I could see him but his pace was a bit too fast for me to keep up. About mile 6.5 he had to use the Johnny so I was able to catch up and pass him. At this point, we have the only uphill of the course, it is a killer after going from all downhill, definitely a shocker for the quads.

 

I came in at a time of 1:10:04 and for the first time ever, I placed in my AG--4th (they go 6th deep in the awards). My very FIRST ribbon! :)

Cache Valley Classic Triathlon

1:41: 04

The first tri of the season is in the bag! First open water swim of the season and first time on the bike this year.

Swim

The swim was brutal. The water was 55 degrees and it felt cold, really, really cold. Even with my awesome BlueSeventy Helix wetsuit I was freezing my butt off. The day was dreary and cold with raindrops falling every now and then. We were scheduled to start our swim at 8:30am and I had gotten to set up my stuff around 6:45am. I wanted everything ready and in its place.

As I was puting my wetsuit on, I realized that I hadn't purchased any of that spray to be able to slide it on/off easier and I wanted to kick myself. Hubby helped me stuff my body into the whalesuit--seriously, I feel like a whale in it, although I am not that big :(. My neck fit really tight this year, everywhere else was okay but my neck was tight--not a good thing. Finally, I was stuffed inside it and I headed off to the water to see the Olympic distance take off. I was freezing just standing there and looking at the choppy water didn't help my enthusiasm at all. Usually, I am looking forward to the swim, I am not super at it, but I can hold my own. However, it looked like an ocean out there with all the waves the wind was causing.

They called the Sprint wave in and I was surprised to see that both men and women were going in at the same time. I am used to Men waves and then Female waves going in. As I got in the water, my wetsuit kept me fairly warm but there is only so much the body can take, I felt my body tense up right away and I could barely breathe from the cold. They started us off and I went in the middle of the pack--BIG mistake! I was doing great for about 200 yards then some big dude decided to use me as a floatation device and held/push me down on my left shoulder and I went under. I panicked. I tried to come up and I couldn't. A thousands thoughts came to my mind, my brain was screaming, you are going to die here, today, this is it. I wasn't down long at all. I know I can hold my breath for at least 30 seconds while swimming from one end to the other at the pool but I wasn't prepared for it. I repeat, I panicked and when I was finally able to come up  I lifted both arms out of the water and found the first kayak. She came right away and I held on for my life. I was hyperventilating and I was scared. I started doubting myself and what I could do. She asked me if I wanted to go to shore aka QUIT. I shook my head, I couldn't go to shore, that meant telling my kids that it was okay to quit when you were scared/afraid. I told her I just needed time to compose myself. By this time the middle of the pack had gone and there were only a few swimmers left behind. I let go of the kayak and I started swimming. I kept telling myself that I could do this, I knew how to swim, I had done this before for twice the distance and I didn't have a  problem at all. I got into a rhythm and took off. The water was murky for the rain the previous days, so no visibility. Finally, I made it back to the first buoy and I came out of the water. I didn't take a look back but I knew that I was one of the very last ones if not the last one. I had messed up my swimming time by panicking and I knew my chances of placing at all had gone out  the moment I held on to that kayak. But, I wasn't going to quit and I was counting my blessing for being able to breathe.

T1

I ran the .2 miles to transition...well, I wobbled to transition and tried to peel off my wetsuit. The arms and torso came out okay but my footies were stuck and they didn't want to come off and my hands were so cold that I could barely open my fingers to pull them off. It took me forever to get them off and get the wetsuit off.

It took me forever to get my stupid cycling shoes on, I had forgotten how to put them on (I got new ones last year and I had only wore them a couple of times). I guess I should have reviewed how to put them on/off the day before. My helmet is stupid and I hate it--it fits dorky but I put it on and went out. It took me a bit to clip in (again, new clips from last year).

Bike

Once I got on the bike, I was okay. I did remember how to ride and I didn't fall of my big fat a$$. Yes, I was riding like a grandma but I was riding. I caught up to a few people but not that many. I was one of the very last ones out there and it made me feel sad. I was cold for a bit but I soon warmed up and my legs got into the cycling motion. I rode a lot slower than I usually do, I average only 15mph...which really stinks for me. Last year, I was riding close to 20...blah, I guess I have to get on that bike more often. If only the weather around here was better and if only I wasn't so blooming scared of all the cars that want me as a hood ornament.

T2

Moon walking! I always find it super funny the way my legs feel after I try to run when I get off the bike. My legs still want to do the same circular motion and I feel like I am about to step up on a step and then my leg has to go a bit lower and I feel out of balance. T2 went alright, except for the parts where I forgot how to take my shoes off. Seriously, I felt like such a moron! I didn't remember how to open up my shoes at all. I spent about 30 seconds trying to see how I could take the bloody things off my feet! Then finally I took them off and I took off and I forgot to grab my bib number. I thought I had put my race belt through my visor and I didn't. It was okay, I was marked on my shoulders and that was good enough, not like I was about to place anyways.

Run

It took a few yards for my feet to get used to running but once I got used to it, I was set. The first half was all uphill, talk about keeping the race true! I was grateful for my two previous weeks of uphill running. I went up the hill, huffing and puffing but I didn't walk one bit. I averaged 8:39 on that first mile--all of it uphill. I passed a few people and I was glad that at least I could count on my legs to be there for me. I knew that I could finish the tri with a decent run. I took a water at the aid station and kept going. Near the finish line, I picked up the pace and passed a few more people, I wanted to give it my all to the end. At the last turn around almost to the finish line, a young man in a red shirt was running and was giving up, and I know that there is nothing that gets a man going than a woman passing him so I picked up the pace, quickly he picked it up and push it and in turn pushed me. As he ran faster and I tried to stay by his side. We both hit the mat at the same time. It is always awesome to finish a race pushing it to the limit!  As I looked down at my Garmin, I was super stoked. I had finished the run in 24:23, considering that it was half uphill. In my enthusiasm, I forgot to stop my Garmin but it was okay. I had finished and I had a smile on my face and my heart was pumping :).

Overall thoughts

First, I want to say thank you to my little family for coming out to support me. It is always a sacrifice as they have to get up really early and then wait for me forever. I really appreciate their love and their support. I also want to thank all my friends, and my coach Janet who was there cheering us on. It was so fantastic to hear my name from a lot of my friends. Thank you, thank you!

At first, I was disappointed with myself at the way I panicked in the water. I should have let my training take over but my brain won and I was scared. It is okay. I didn't quit and I kept going and I did finish the tri--which in my eyes is what counts at this point. I ended up being 5th in my age group and 19th in the womens. Then I came home to find out that my Run split was the fastest in my age group (24:23:05)--this made my day! :)

ps: I came home and broke down in tears in front of my husband...that stupid swimming did shake me up and I was scared. I don't remember ever been scared in the water...ever!

Ogden Marathon 2011

My 6th marathon!!! I am so happy :). I never thought I would make it to even the first one and now I am done with number 6.  I love this distance, there is something about getting to mile 20 and reaching deep within for the next 6.

The day was a perfect day for running, perfect sunshine, perfect temperature. Unfortunately, my body wasn't perfect that day. I had stomach cramps starting at mile 3 and they didn't go away til the very end. At mile 19, I had to stop and finally get some ibuprofen for the pain.  The ibuprofen worked, my tummy got feeling better and I was able to push through to the end.

The race was truly a wonderful race, if it hadn't been for my tummy, I would have had the perfect race. I crossed the line with a full heart and it is the first time that I didn't want to cry while crossing the line, I was actually so happy and still had so much energy in me, I really felt that I could have gone for at least another couple of miles.

Personal log of the marathon:

Miles 1-5: Took my first GU 15 minutes before the race. Hubby, my brother-in-law and I lined up with the 3:30 group. Everything was alright, it was a little chilly so I wore my sweater and arm warmers. I had to shed my sweater at mile 2. I saw a few of my friends running and I chatted with a few of them for a little bit as I continued on. At mile 3, my tummy started cramping, I tried to ignore it but I kept going. It slowed me down a little but I continued on. At mile 5, I took my second GU and downed some water. It made my tummy feel worse. The pain felt like a rock was pounding in my tummy over and over. I wanted some crackers, something to make me feel better but there was nothing of the kind around.

Mile 6-10: Around mile 8, I felt lonely, last year at this point my hubby and I were running together in that area and this time around, I was all alone and my tummy was aching and I really wanted him around. I wanted someone to talk to and tell him that my tummy was not feeling well. I took a little bit of powerade to see if it would help with the tummy. It didn't.

Mile 11-15: The half mark! I was in pain. My tummy just wanted me to stop and I wanted to stop but I am too stubborn or rather my head is too stubborn and I kept going. A little slower but I forged forward. The small incline is at this point and I told myself that if I went up it without walking that I could stop for a bit and see if my tummy felt better. I ran! I ran like my life depended on it and I climbed the hill. Then I saw the Blue Gods--the blue plastic outhouse! I decided to make a stop. As I came out, I saw my awesome friend Lee, she was there to cheer us runners on and she will never know it but she was Heaven sent. I needed her at that moment. I needed her words of encouragement, her smile, her positive energy. She told me that my hubby was just up ahead and made me realize that after cresting the hill that it was all downhill from there....I had this in the bag. She waved good bye and sent me off and I ran up the rest of the hill. I took a GU (the last one I took), downed some water. My tummy burned as I downed the GU so I knew I didn't want anymore of it. I ate some oranges to settle my tummy--they worked.

Mile 16-20: It started to get super hot. I wanted some water on my head. My arms felt like they were on fire from the sun--yah, I forgot to put sunscreen and I could feel the sun burning me. Went around the reservoir bridge and then I saw him. I saw my hubby from far away and I wanted to be next to him. I wanted a running buddy, my legs just took off down the hill.  He was still far away, about 1/2 a mile away. I kept turning the legs....eyes on my target, a 5'5" blue eyed blonde hunk! Then, I finally caught him  but I wasn't happy, he was in pain. He had to start walking as his calves were cramping. I waved him goodbye and I kept going. My brother-in-law was up ahead and I wanted to see how he was doing. I kept on running and my tummy started hurting me again. I needed something. I needed some meds! The next aid stop had a medical tent and I asked them for some ibuprofen, it took them about a minute to find it and record my number, there was no water around, the water was before the medical tent and no I wasn't going to run back to get water, so I took the ibuprofen with me and kept running. At mile 19, I got some water and downed the ibuprofen.  I saw my brother-in-law next and we talked for a second, I told him Sam was behind and having a few troubles with his calves.

Miles 21-26.2: The ibuprofen started working and the tummy cramps diminished. I ran, I ran like I have never ran before at the end of a marathon. I looked at my garmin and realized that I couldn't come close to my desired goal of 3:35 but I could still finish close to my time from last year. I felt strong, my legs were not tired, my arms were not tired, my feet were feeling great and thanks to the ibuprofen my tummy was feeling better too. I ran and I kept going and going. I have never passed people at the end but this time around, I was passing people from mile 22 on.

The end, I love the end of this marathon, a straight chute for the last 1/2 mile or so. I pushed and pushed and kept going, my Garmin read close to 3:40 and it was close enough to my time last year (3:41:12). At this point, I just wanted to come as close to last year as possible. I pushed to the end and finished in 3:40:57, official time 3:41:07.

The finisher's corral, my favorite spot, lots of goodies to eat exactly when you are starving. I loaded up on some bread--heavenly bread, then I downed about 6 smoothies, oranges, banana, more bread, more smoothies, then more bread. I got a massage, I then iced my left ITB, stretched and kept eating. I waited for my hubby and for my BIL. My BIL came through and we chatted, we waited for my hubby but he didn't come so I went out of the corral to find my niece who was watching my children. My kiddos had a race at 12:30 so I needed to get them to the start of their race.

After I got the kiddos to their race, I came back to the corral and I saw my hubby. He was there and he looked great! His calves had hurt him from mile 17 on but he wasn't about to stop, instead, he took it easy and walked when he needed and ran a little here and there. He says it was one of the most comfortable marathons ever :).

We walked over to the kids race and we got there just as they were taking off. The organizers gave us some bells to cheer the little ones and we were ringing them for all we were worth. We rang the bells as the little ones came through. My son was one of the first 10 to come through. My little Nyah did awesome too and came in with a bunch of kiddos her age.

The marathon and the 1K were awesome! Our little family participated and we all had fun and gave our all. We are not too big and not too tough but when we work together we got the right stuff, go Phelps family!

 

My splits

 

 

 

Smithfield 10K Report

Ran it. Brought it! Loved it. PR on the course!

Six miles seems really like nothing to run, especially after running 26 a couple of weeks before. I was talking the other day to a friend and I said something along the lines of "you know, when you start your season off with a marathon, your body is trained for any other event during the season". I went home and really thought about what I had said and I have to say that my comment was quite on the mark. Once you train for the marathon, you are really trained for a lot of the other smaller races, still need to keep the mileage up, at least run 10 miles every couple of weeks to be ready for a half marathon but overall, your body is ready for a 5k to a marathon.

The race was awesome, this time around I knew what to expect and there were no surprises, except for the fact that I forgot how long 3 miles uphill feels. I kept a steady pace going up the hill. I didn't push it very much as I wanted to feel comfortable and be able to enjoy the race without panting my way to Pukeville. About 2 miles into it, I saw the first people coming back, a young high school kid and then some men, then about 2.5 miles up, I saw the first gal coming down. She was booking it! She probably ran a 7 minute pace up the hill (not like my 8:30pace) and coming down she looked strong. I so want to be like her when I grow up :)!

At the turning point, 3 miles, I took some water and kept going down the hill--my favorite part! I love going downhill, there is something about it that just feels right. I knew that I wasn't going to be first nor second nor third but I had a chance of being at least at the top 10 in the women so I took off. It felt like I was flying down the hill. Then the little hill came and I just powered up it, I haven't worked on hills yet but they seem easier this time around than last year.

The Finish Line came a little too soon. I wasn't ready for it, my body wasn't ready to stop, I guess it has gotten used to running long. I gave it a last push trying to beat my time last year and I did it!

My time 47:22. Avg pace 7:38

I placed 4th in my age group and 6th overall in the womens.

Mile 1: 8

Mile 2: 8:37

Mile 3: 8:42

Mile 4: 6:52

Mile 5: 7:13

Mile 6: 6:51

.20: 5:42.

Future goals: I want to have a time of 45 minutes on this course...my dream is to come in at 43 minutes flat one day.

We got super lucky in this race, they have a raffle at the end--you have to put your name in to be entered in the raffle. This year, both hubby and I put our names in to all three. We came home with 3 race entries: one the most coveted St.George marathon guaranteed entry, one for a half marathon here in town, 1 for an entry into next year's Smithfield 10K race, and we even won some socks :).

Boston Marathon report part II

The Race

So I left off when I told you that I had gotten to the Start of the race late. Yes, I felt so awful when I finally got through thousands and thousands of people to get to my corral was gone and the entire second wave was leaving. I wanted to cry when I heard that I missed the start, thankfully my time didn't start at the wave start but when I crossed the timing mat. I cruised up to the end of the wave and made my way slowly through it. I began at about a 11 minute pace as people weren't moving very fast...I felt like a snail, then finally I was able to find some room and run a little bit more at my pace. The weather felt great, a little chilly but the sun was out and I had a hoodie on just in case it got too cold. The spectators from the start were lining the streets--both sides of the street! Little kids, adult, older adults, and their pets were outside cheering and singing and giving treats to the runners. It was amazing. I had never seen that before in my previous four marathons.

The first mile went by quite uneventful, just tried to get my little body in a space where I was okay to move at a decent pace.  I knew the first couple of miles was going to be congested but I never imagined the magnitude of congestion I was presented with...the whole time I was surrounded by thousands of runners, to the left to the right to the front to the back. I seriously thought that if I could hook my arms to the people next to me and lift my feet that I could probably make it at least half way down the course.  Crazy fun to be surrounded by so many runners!

Between mile 2 and 3, I unfortunately had a little mishap that I wasn't expecting. Someone ahead of me dropped a water bottle and I tried to avoid steppinp on it so I lifted my foot and side-stepped only to have my foot roll and my ankle go pop! I thought was going to die! In my head, the only thought that came was "no, not now, I still have 24 miles to go and I am not quitting". There were some lady spectators on the side who quikly ran to me and asked me if I was okay. I felt like crying and saying, "no, it hurts" but my stubborness came out and instead, I mumbled something along the lines of "I will be okay, it was nothing". I hopped for the next little bit and my hop became a small limp as I tested my weight on the foot. It hurt but not to the point of tears, so I kept going paying close attention to my foot. The pain lessened as I continued and I concentrated more on my left left and foot making sure that it wasn't taken all the weight of my body. In my head, I kept repeating that I had 24 miles to go and that I wasn't about to quit. My foot felt better and eventually the pain went away or my body realized that I wasn't going to pay any mind to it.

At mile 3, I took my first GU and started hydrating. I had a plan of taking one GU every 5 miles after mile 3, a GU every 40-45 minutes or so. I hate carrying GUs with me and most of my other marathons provide GUs along the way but Boston only provides 1 at mile 17. I wasn't prepared for this 1 GU deal so during the expo (by the way, the most amazing humongous expo I have ever seen, wish I had had extra mula with me to buy stuff) I purchased a SPI belt to carry my GUs. I was thankful that I was able to find a GU booth were they were selling the stuff super cheaper 5 of them for $6 bucks, cheaper than I buy them around here anyways.  The belt weighs almost nothing, it is perfect for holding those gels. I just wish it doubled as a number belt too.

The next few miles truly went fast. I loved running down the streets with all the spectactors. They had bands playing or music playing. One of the towns even had the Elvis singing just for us! Another town was playing YMCA and all the runners were dancing to it and making the letters with their hands--I of course had to join in on the fun and had to dance along. It really didn't feel like I was running a marathon as I was having so much fun waving and laughing at everything around me.

When I reached my 13, I had to look at my Garmin just to be sure that I was truly at mile 13, I couldn't believe that I had ran already 13 miles and that I was feeling so good, even my foot was feeling great. I was keeping up with my hydration--walking through every aid station picking up a water and sipping just a little bit of it and then a little bit of gatorade. 

I have to mention that it was between mile 13 and 14 that I was presented with a beautiful sight! The women from Wellesley College, hundreds of women lined the streets with signs that read "Kiss me" or "Kiss me, I won't tell your wife" or "This is your only chance to kiss a Chemist". I couldn't help but smile. Hundreds of young women spending their Saturday outside cheering for us crazies. It was beautiful.  No, I didn't run to kiss any of them but I did smile as the men ran over and hugged them and gave them a kiss on the cheek.  With memories of these women cheering me on, I kept going for the next few miles, smiling, high-fiving children along the way, my heart calls to them when I see their little hands out and I only imagine my kids doing the same thing. I always get a thrill when I high-five one of them and they turn to their parents and say "did you see that, they like me!" (picture found at FieldNotes)

When I crossed mile 18, I told myself--well ducky from now on it is all heart. You only trained to 18 miles this time around so from this point on, it is all coming from the heart. I knew that the next few miles had in store a couple of hills, including HeartBreak Hill but I was ready for them. I wasn't feeling tired, my legs felt okay, my lungs had plenty of air (the wonders of coming from a 4,500ft elevation down to 200ft) so I charged ahead. I kept my eyes down on purpose during the next few miles. I knew that hills were coming and the mind can play tricks on you making you believe that the hills are bigger than they truly are so with eyes on the ground, I dug in and ran forth. I counted the hills and I knew that I should be feeling the hills that they were right there and that I only had so many left.

Before reaching Heartbreak hill, I looked around and I saw a few people walking, I didn't want to walk, not yet. I told myself I could walk if I reached mile 22, then I could take a one minute break. I dug my toes and kicked up and started up what I thought was the second "big" hill in the course. I ran up it, passing a few people on the right and left. My pace wasn't fast but I was feeling pretty good. When I reached the top of the hill I was quite surprised to see a big broken heart drawn on the ground. I looked up and I had to ask the person next to me "was that Heartbreak hill" they confirmed it. I couldn't believe that I had ran up THE hill and I didn't even feel it. I had miscounted my hills and thought that I still had one more to go when in fact I was done. Granted, I was running a 9-something pace by this time so I wasn't sprinting up it.

The next few miles were all heart. At this point, I put my headphones on and listened to some songs. One of my favorite Zumba songs came on (Pegate by grupo Treo) and I was singing and trying to put my heart into my run. I had 5 miles left. I told myself I could run 5 miles. 50 minutes tops even with water breaks. I brougtht memories of my kids to the front of my mind and forged ahead. The spectators were still around cheering us on but at this point, I needed to reach deep within me for what I needed and my kids are usually the answer. As I pictured their little faces and imagined hearing their voices, the miles went by under my feet.

It was around mile 25 when we crossed some sort of bridge along the course that I remember getting all choked up, I put my headphones away and turned my iPod off.  I felt out out breath not because of the intensity of the workout but because of my personal thoughts of things going on in our lives right now. I felt tears surfacing and I felt my heart hammer through my chest and the crowds around cheering me on. At that moment, it wasn't so much about the marathon I was running but more about my personal struggles at this time of my life. I remember as if I was in slow motion, I closed my eyes and one of my tears fells down on my lips. I could taste the saltyness from my tear combined with my sweat. I remember lifting my sunglasses and wiping my tears clean with my hand, feeling the remnants of salt particles on my face from the dried up sweat. I remember looking around and seeing a little girl with deep blue eyes just smiling and waving. I looked up and saw the Citgo sign and the promise that it brought of only 1 mile left.

I shuffled through the 25 mile aid station. Stopped to stretch my lower back and to reasses my feelings at the moment. I told myself again, 1 mile, anyone runs 1 mile, even my 6 year old has run 1 mile races. So, I stood up, smiled and high-fived one of the spectators and told myself that was the end of my break and no more breaks til I crossed the finish line.

Five words carried me through that last mile. YOU. CAN. DO. IT. MOM. At first, they were almost a whisper in my head, then they got louder and louder and louder. I could hear my little children's voices in my head cheering me on. As I reached the 26 mile mark, the voice just got louder and louder and louder. Then, I heard my name and my sweet husband was there screaming my name at the top of his lungs and taking pictures. It was exactly what I needed, my children's voices in my head, then my husband there in person cheering me to the end. I gave all the little bit left that I had in me and I crossed the finish line. 3:50:07 Boston dream completed!

Boston 2011--an Epic Year for the Boston Marathon. World records were broken with Mutai coming in at 2:03:02 for the fastest marathon ever. Many others achieved personal record times. Personally, I reached my goal of running the prestigious Boston marathon.

It was one of the best running experiences I have ever had, one that I truly will never forget and I hope I can repeat again in the future.

  

 

Boston Marathon report part I

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G

The entire event was more than I ever imagined. People told me of the spectators but I never believed it until I saw it and experience it. It was an amazing race and it was mostly due to the spectators out on the course cheering for all the runners.

Starting from the beginning, I was afraid of missing the bus so I woke up at 5am which is usually quite late as I am used to getting up at 3am to board a 5am bus but this time around I had to be on the bus by 7am. As I woke up and got ready for my big day, I was surprised that I felt calm and ready, despite my single long run of 18 miles. I knew what was ahead of me and in my head I knew that if it came to it, I was okay with walking the last 5 miles. I wasn't there to set a record, I was there just to have fun and enjoy the experience. I taped myself up--KT Tape on my legs always since I overpronate so much and my shoes don't do the trick on their own. I decided while taping my legs to also tape my right ankle, no idea why I felt the need but I went ahead and taped it (little did I know that it would be my saving grace later on in the marathon). As I was getting ready, I turned the TV on to the local news and the marathon was everywhere, all the news was about it and about the weather and how it would affect the runners. Quite exciting to see the race on national news!

Hubby walked me to the bus loading area where I was expecting to get there and wait on the line for a few minutes but when we got to Boston Commons we were presented with thousands of runners waiting in this super long serpentine line. I wish I had known my wait was going to be almost an hour as I would have gotten breakfast and ate it while waiting in line. I was lucky to have taken my winter coat with me as it was a cold morning and as we waited there in the park it got colder and colder. Runners were there wearing their short shorts and they ended up taking their friends jackets/sweaters to wrap them around their legs just to keep warm. I have to remember that 50 degrees feels a lot different in Boston than it does in Utah. 50 degrees there still means you need a coat. After a little wait, I was able to board the bus and leave my hubby behind--I always find climbing on the bus on my own a little scary, I wish I could take him with me.

In the bus, I sat next to a guy who qualified on his first marathon and his family insisted he did Boston...I told it was really awesome :). His entire family was in Boston to cheer him and see him at the finish line. After chatting for a few minutes, I closed my eyes and I slept all the way to the starting line. I got to the starting line around 9am and my starting time was 10:20 so I hurried to the porta potties and waited my turn with all my other fellow runners. I made a few friends there from all over the world. It was super neat to meet so many runners from all different parts of the world. As always, almost when it was my turn, the toilet paper ran out and all of us were scrambling around for TP...I must remember to take a roll with me to the starting line. Thankfully someone thought ahead and brought extra.

After taking care of business, I hurried and went to food section and picked up half a bagel and some water. Drank a full bottle of water and ate slowly. Then it was time to get serious and get going. I shed my layers, it was terribly sad leaving my coat and my sweats. I didn't want to be cold so I wore a long sleeve layer and short sleeve. I dont' like carrying extra clothes but I didn't want to be cold. I made my way to the starting line with plenty of time but there were so many people to weave through that by the time I got to the starting line my wave and corral had already left. I ended up at the tail end of Wave 2. I had missed the Start :(...so sad.

Stay tuned for part II....the race

 

 

1.5.8.5.6

Boston bound...I am going on an airplane...weee! I am so excited to see from afar some of the best runners in the world...to run the same streets they have ran down, to perhaps even see them up close at some point.

I shall be in Boston by Sunday morning..the worst part about the trip is the whole red eye flight but hopefully it won't affect me so much. I knew that I wasn't going to sleep much anyways...never do before a race...must take some Tylenol PM the night before just to get a few hours in.

My lucky number of the day 15856...may it bring me to the finish line in one piece and hopefully that my feet cross the finish line without any blisters or if there are blisters that at least I'll be conscious to realize the pain :).

Wish me luck! A dream come true for sure...my mantra as always "once upon a dream, now I am making it a reality"

Boston!

It was 8:40am, I was getting ready to go drop the kids off to school. I went up the stairs to tell hubby that I was leaving so that I could come back to register for the Boston Marathon right when it opened.  He yelled down the stairs and tells me that I got my Eastern Time and Mountain Time confused again! Boston registration had been going for 1 hour and 40 minutes already! Crap! I run down the steps to the computer and try to log on to the site. By this time, I had completely forgotten about the kids getting to school and the boatload of kids that I had to carpool.

Nyah in the background keeps saying something about her shoes. I keep answering, not now, not now, I have to register. Bryant asks something about some box I have in the car and that it needs to be taken out so the carpool kids can fit. I just nod and say "not, now, I must register! I am going to be late!" I felt like the rabbit in that movie that keeps on saying "I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!"

Hubby feeling my frustration and probably my shaking from the floor above runs down the steps and saves the day by taking the kids to school.  I just mumble something like "okay, let me be! Stupid computer is not working, is not letting me sign up!". Dreading the worst--SOLD OUT, I keep trying and trying, open a different browser and keep on trying. Nothing, nada, broken! Wanting to kick the computer out the window, hubby comes back and I tell him that I cannot sign up. I run upstairs to get dressed for a 9am meeting, dreading that it will sell out while I am at the meeting...heart pounding I run out the door and get in my car to get to my meeting.

Meeting over, I run back  to the car trying to get home as fast as possible, see my phone flashing, hubby had called. He was able to get on and sign me up! My entry was in! Finally!

I AM GOING TO BOSTON!!!