tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59619773552076801342024-03-05T18:37:17.576-07:00Jogging Beats BloggingOr does it?Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-51962473716197598562014-11-12T15:19:00.000-07:002014-11-12T15:59:22.469-07:00Inspiration When Needed!<div align="center">
You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement. -Steve Prefontaine </div>
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"A lot of people run a race to see who's the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts." -Steve Prefontaine<br />
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Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow. - Henry David Thoreau<br />
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In that he didn't die at the finish line, he could have run faster" - Tim Noakes</div>
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"Running is real. It’s all joy and woe, hard as diamond. It makes you weary beyond comprehension, but it also makes you free."</div>
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I always loved running... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs. ~Jesse Owens </div>
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"Enjoy your pain, you've earned it" </div>
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Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired. When you were younger the mind could make you dance all night, and the body was never tired...You've always got to make the mind take over and keep going." - George S. Patton, U.S. Army General and 1912 Olympian </div>
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The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy...It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed." - Jacqueline Gareau, 1980 Boston Marathon champ</div>
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"There are people who have no bodies, only heads. And many athletes have no heads, only bodies. A champion is a man who has trained his body and his mind, who has learned to conquer pain for his own purposes. A great athlete is at peace with himself and at peace with the world; he has fulfilled himself. He envies nobody. Wars are caused by people who have not fulfilled themselves." - Coach Sam Dee The Olympian</div>
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"Top results are reached only through pain. But eventually you like this pain. You'll find the more difficulties you have on the way, the more you will enjoy your success." - Juha "the Curel Vaatainen </div>
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"We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon." - Emil Zatopek </div>
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"Some running is good, more is better, and too much is just enough"</div>
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"The only way to define your limits is to go beyond them" </div>
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"Remember the second most important thing to choosing the right shoe, is choosing the left one"<br />
"If I am still standing at the end of the race, hit me with a Board and knock me down, because that means I didn't run hard enough" -Steve Jones</div>
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"Run so hard you come in with bloody feet and missing toenails" -Rob Decestella </div>
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"Man imposes his own limitations, don't set any" -Anthony Bailey </div>
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"Human beings are made up of flesh and blood, and a miracle fiber called courage" -George Patton</div>
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"Sweat cleanses from the inside. It comes from places a shower will never reach."- George Sheehan </div>
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You don’t run against a bloody stop watch, do you hear? A runner runs against himself, against the best that's in him. Not against a dead thing of wheels and pulleys. That's the way to be great, running against yourself. Against all the rotten mess in the world. Against God, if you’re good enough. ~Bill Persons </div>
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It is better to wear out one's shoes than one's sheets. - Genoese Proverb </div>
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The only competition of a wise man is with himself. -Washington Allston </div>
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"I may not be fast, but I sure ain't last." </div>
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You can never run a hill too hard, you will collapse before hurting it. -Adam Born</div>
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"Every man dies, but not every man really lives." -William Wallace</div>
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"There is no satisfaction without a struggle first." -Marty Liquori</div>
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"Don't fear moving slowly forward...fear standing still." -Kathleen Harris</div>
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"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." -George Sheehan </div>
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"If you run hard, there's the pain -- and you've got to work your way through the pain.... You know, lately it seems all you hear is 'Don't overdo it' and 'Don't push yourself.' Well, I think that's a lot of bull. If you push the human body, it will respond."- Bob Clarke, NHL Hall of Famer</div>
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There will be days when I don't know if I can run a marathon. There will be a lifetime knowing that I have." </div>
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Do or do not. There is no try. -Yoda </div>
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"Mental toughness is only the confidence to go on when you can't move."<br />
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I run because I can. When I get tired, I remember those who can't run, what they'd give to have this simple gift I take for granted, and I run harder for them. I know they would do the same for me.<br />
Running is my medication when I'm down and my celebration when I'm up. </div>
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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt</div>
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"Run the first mile with your legs, the second mile with your mind, and the third mile with your heart." </div>
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"Pain is weakness leaving your body" - Marine Corps </div>
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"If it were any easier, they might call it football..."</div>
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"Pain is nothing compared to what it feels like to quit." </div>
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HEART is the difference between those who ATTEMPT and those who ACHIEVE."</div>
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"You gain strength, confidence and courage by every experience in which you<br />
really stop to look fear in the face." - ELEANOR ROOSEVELT </div>
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Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.<br />
It takes a little more persistence to get up and go the distance.<br />
When you come to a fork in the road, take it. You never know when you are going to get hungry. - Yogi Bear</div>
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"Pain is temporary; finishing is forever." </div>
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"It's not 13.1 miles ... it’s seven water stops." </div>
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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. - Aristotle </div>
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"If you don't feel like you're going to throw up you're not running fast enough. " </div>
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Losers look what they are going through. Winners look where they are going to.</div>
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What counts in battle is what you do once the pain sets in.</div>
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Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it. </div>
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"Last is just the slowest winner." - C. Hunter Boyd </div>
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"Anybody running beats anybody walking, and anybody walking beats anybody sitting." - Tom Bunk </div>
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"The Quitter"When you're lost on the trail with the speed of a snail And defeat looks you straight in the eye and you're needing to sit, your whole being says quit You're certain it's your time to die. But the code of the trail is "move forward don't fail" Though your knees and ego are scarred. All the swelling and pain is just part of the game In the long run it's quitting that's hard! "I'm sick of the pain!" Well, now, that's a shame But you're strong, you're healthy, and bright. So you've had a bad stretch and you're ready to retch, Shoulders back, move forward, and fight. It's the plugging away that will win you the day, Now don't be a loser my friend! So the goal isn't near, why advance to the rear. All struggles eventually end.<br />
It's simple to cry that you’re finished; and die. It's easy to whimper and whine. Move forward and fight, though there's no help in sight You'll soon cross the lost finish line. You'll come out of the black, with the wind at your back, As the clouds start to part; there's the sun. Then you'll know in your heart, as you did at the start. You're not a quitter. You've Won!! - Gene Thibeault </div>
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"Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit, which fortunately functions independently of logic." - Tim Noakes </div>
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"The runner need not break four minutes in the mile or four hours in the marathon. It is only necessary that he runs and runs and sometimes suffers. Then one day he will wake up and discover that somewhere along the the way he has begun to see the order and law and love and truth that makes men free." - George Sheehan </div>
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"There are victories of the soul and spirit. Sometimes, even if you lose, you win." - Elie Wiesel</div>
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"Above all, train hard, eat light, and avoid TV and people with negative attitudes." - Scott Tinley `<br />
"It hurts up to a point and then it doesn't get any worse." - Ann Trason </div>
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"Some think guts is sprinting at the end of a race. But guts is what got you there to begin with. Guts start back in the hills with 6 miles to go and you're thinking of how you can get out of this race without anyone noticing. Guts begin when you still have forty minutes of torture left and you're already hurting more than you ever remember." - George Sheehan</div>
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"I have met my hero, and he is me." - George Sheehan </div>
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"I had as many doubts as anyone else. Standing on the starting line, we're all cowards." - Alberto Salazar </div>
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"You must do the thing you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt </div>
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"The mind learns the body can go at least a bit farther even though it feels increasingly uncomfortable." - Pritikin</div>
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""The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection." - Thomas Paine</div>
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"Once that distance had been passed in training, an important physical and psychological threshold had been crossed. It was no longer a question of *if* it could be done. Rather, it became a question of *how fast* it could be done." - Mike Plant</div>
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"Self-conquest is the greatest of victories." - Plato </div>
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"There is another type of strength. It is being able to extend your energy for a very long distance." - David LaPierre</div>
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"If one could run without getting tired I don't think one would often want to do anything else." - C.S. Lewis </div>
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"Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we will find the way." - Abraham Lincoln</div>
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"The only way to be who you want to be is by being what you haven't yet been." - Sally Edwards<br />
"To describe the agony of a marathon to someone who's never run it is like trying to explain color to someone who was born blind." - Jerome Drayton</div>
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"The purpose of training is to stress the body, so when you rest it will grow stronger and more tolerant of the demands of distant running." - David Costill </div>
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"The most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." - Pierre de Courbertin</div>
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"You can't die from a stomach ache. The worst that can happen is that you'll throw up. Then you can eat some more and start running again." - Jack Bristol </div>
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"A man's reach must exceed his grasp, or else what's a heaven for?" - Robert Browning</div>
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"Go fast enough to get there, but slow enough to see." - Jimmy Buffett </div>
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"Succeeding makes you forget the failures." - Harry Cordellos, blind athlete (2:57 at Boston in 1975) </div>
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"No doubt a brain and some shoes are essential for marathon success, although if it comes down to a choice, pick the shoes. More people finish marathons with no brains than with no shoes." - Don Kardong </div>
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When you're afraid of failure you're more likely to do it." - Gordy Ainsleigh </div>
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"You can sleep when you die." - Roger Rehwald (seen on a T-shirt) </div>
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"As long as you keep making RFM (Relentless Forward Motion), you will finish." - Stacey Page </div>
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"Find your limits and exceed them." - Lynn Strickland </div>
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"Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit, which fortunately functions independently of logic." - Tim Noakes</div>
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"Decide before the race the conditions that will cause you to stop and drop out. You don't want to be out there saying, Well gee, my leg hurts, I'm a little dehydrated, I'm sleepy, I'm tired, and its cold and windy. And talk yourself into quitting. If you are making a decision based on how you feel at that moment, you will probably make the wrong decision." - Dick Collins</div>
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"A man must love a thing very much if he not only practices it without any hope of fame and money, but even practices it without any hope of doing it well." - G. K. Chesterton</div>
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"If you under-train, you may not finish, but if you over-train, you may not start." - Tom DuBos </div>
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"My doctor told me that jogging could add years to my life. I think he was right. I feel ten years older already." -Milton Berle</div>
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"You're better than you think you are and you can do more than you think you can!" - Ken Chlouber </div>
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"Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self- satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming." - John Wooden<br />
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Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-71756994367026859842014-09-13T15:57:00.000-06:002014-11-12T15:58:31.588-07:00Big Cottonwood Marathon (#4)<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">dear big cottonwood marathon</span>, I am SO glad that is over! I got up at 2:50 a.m. and headed down with Jen and Linda to SLC to catch the buses for the race. Robin had picked up our packets and so we met her to get them and then her and Linda headed off for the half and Jen and I for the full. I have been a bundle of nerves ALL week worrying about this marathon. I have never ran the course and I have been putting pressure on myself to get a BQ (Boston Qualifying time) because if I shave off 14 minutes from my PR then I can qualify. Much easier said than done! 14 minutes is a lot of time, but I knew I could do it. Problem is my training hasn't been as good as it was for my last one and I just didn't know how I would do. I was honestly scared to run it because I know how painful and how much inner mental strength it takes to get through a full marathon. Half's are much less draining that way. But a full marathon makes you dig deep and see what you're made of and how much you can endure. They are tough no matter what. And you train for four months all for ONE day. Anything can happen that day and you can have a great day and all the stars are aligned or a crappy one. You just don't know what will happen. And then there's the pressure to qualify. Getting a BQ time is VERY tough but a dream for many runners. I REALLY want to run Boston...it is my goal. I was so hoping today would be the day, but it wasn't meant to be. I ended up SEVEN MEASLY MINUTES shy of a BQ! Seven! Oh well. Guess that means I will have to keep trying. Not looking forward to that though. Marathons really take it out of me and training for that long really takes a lot of time. There were so many reasons I wanted to do it today, but I gave it ALL I had and still came up shy. That's why it's so hard to qualify and why it's such a coveted thing among runners. It's kind of like the Super Bowl for runners. It's my dream though and I really want to run it someday! I'm soooooooo close! Anyway, I signed up for this race (Big Cottonwood) because it touts itself as one of the fastest BQ races around. And that is just what I need - a fast course. That was before they changed the course and made it MUCH tougher! The first 15 are downhill and fast but then it turns and there is an 8 mile out and back that is BRUTAL! SO. MUCH. UPHILL! And so painful to go uphill after going 15 down! I was surprised how tough it was. I have never seen so many marathon racers have to walk in a race like I did in this one... ever. It was that tough. I didn't walk once in my last two marathons, but this one I had no choice. Either that or kill over! I stayed with the 4:00 pacers (I actually really tried to stay ahead of them 30 seconds or so for most of the 15 miles) but on the out and back and uphill I got behind a bit and then more and more. My friend Adrian was the pacer for my BQ time of 4:00, and when I heard that, I was SO happy because he is one of the funnest people I know and so smart about running. I couldn't think of anyone else I'd rather have as a pacer. He kept us upbeat and positive and it was just so fun pacing with him! I met some ladies in my age group who flew in from Oklahoma to run it. They went ahead as soon as the uphill started at mile 16 and I was sad I couldn't push it more. I did great until about mile 17 but at that point I was really hurting and felt sick to my stomach. I kept going though and kept pushing it and gave it all I had. Trying to get down a gel was impossible. I knew if I did, I would hurl! But I also knew if I didn't, I would hit a wall and bonk. So I took some blox that had a small amount of caffeine and hoped for the best. The out and back was tough as far as the course goes, but I really liked being able to see the other runners going out or back and passing them. I got to yell and wave at Marci and Sherri as I was going out and then I saw Jen as I was going back. It was inspiring just watching the runners that were on the tough miles (20 and up) as they passed me. The looks on their faces was inspiring because I could tell how painful it was for them but they kept on going. It was like being a spectator at a marathon while running it. I did like that experience. Miles 20-22 were tough. I heard another ask a couple that were walking and limping if they were having cramping and she told them she had a salt tablet if they needed it. My calves were getting tight and starting to cramp and when they said it wasn't cramping and they didn't need it, I asked her if she had a spare I could have. Thankfully she did. I think it helped me during those last three miles. I kept having the thought go through my head, "Would I rather have a baby or run a marathon?" When I have thoughts like those, it means I am hurting. haha But I was still trying to keep it positive. I was even super excited because I need a 4:00 to BQ but I found out that today and ONLY today if I ran it in that time I would BQ for 2015 and 2016. AND, since I will be 55 in 2016, my BQ time goes to 4:10 and if I finished today with a 4:10 I would BQ for 2016! That made me motivated to do it! 10 extra minutes! But as hard as I tried, and as excited as I was that I knew I could do it, about mile 22, the 4:10 pacers passed me and I sadly kissed my Boston Marathon goodbye. Oh man that was tough mentally. Heartbreaking. But I didn't have enough energy to even think about the loss of that. I had to just keep pushing and moving forward. As I approached mile 23, a man cheering for us said it was all downhill from there. I said, "Really? Is that true?" He told me it was and so that gave me some extra strength just knowing the uphill was done. I finished strong with a time of 4:17. My marathon PR is a 4:14 and so I was very happy with my time, just very disappointed I didn't BQ. I wanted to so bad! Guess this means I am not done running fulls. UGH! I want to be! That is after I run Boston! Anyway, I felt good about my time and knowing that I didn't leave anything on the course was also a good feeling. I did my best. It just wasn't good enough today. I didn't train as hard as I needed to either like I did for the Ogden. So, I wasn't really surprised I guess. Just let down. Oh man did I hurt after that race! I was really sick to my stomach and dizzy and had to sit down a long time and try and get feeling better. I am sure I was dehydrated. I even got a short massage after and that was helpful. I sat down by Adrian and he told me I did great. He even went and got me some chocolate milk. That is the best recovery drink ever! I ate some other things but they made me sick. I waited for Jen to finish and was so happy for her because she got a PR and was so happy. I was so proud of her! She has had a bad year and turned it around today! Jen's friend Rachelle and another girl were so nice and fun to talk to after while recovering a bit. I was really not feeling well. I just wanted to go home and lay down, but we headed to Jimmie Johns and got a great sub. It was a good thing to do because it settled my stomach. I felt a lot better after eating that. Then I got home and had so much to do. I helped McKay get ready for the Homecoming Dance and then tried to pack and clean and get Taylor's letter written and this post done. It's almost 11 pm and I am so stinking tired! I have to get up at 4:45 a.m. and so I need to get this posted and hit the hay! LONG day! I was so stressed and nervous about this race that I breathed a huge sigh of relief now it's over! </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>My supplies all laid out the night before...</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Dave was ALSO up at 3:30 to see me off! He is so supportive of all my races. Too late to turn back now! </b></span></span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could NOT decide if I should wear my capri's under my skirt or not since it was going to be only 40 degrees at start. I didn't want my legs to freeze for the first two hours. But I had planned on wearing this new purple lululemon skirt for months! I opted to be warm and wear it underneath. Big mistake. By mile 15 I was really hot! Isn't it cute in the back? I LOVE ruffles! Especially purple ones!</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>It was SO freezing at the start and so hot at the finish line! </b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I did it! Yea!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> I have such great running friends! The fall colors are in full swing!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Check out this picture ↓ </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>My friend Jen found a photo of one of them when she was looking through unclaimed photos! They have my shirt and purple skirts! I wish I would have seen them, but they ran the half instead of the full. Still made me smile!!! GO PURPLE! <br />I wrote another post on this race <a href="http://jodibeacon.blogspot.com/2014/09/daily-drops-big-cottonwood-marathon.html">here</a>.</b></span></span><br />
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<b>I went to the General Women's Meeting last night and Sister Linda K. Burton's talk made me think of how much living the gospel is like running a marathon in many ways. I have been reflecting quite a bit about my last marathon experience lately mainly because I was so let down I didn't reach my goal that I had set for myself and partly because I was really doubting my ability to do so before even attempting it.</b><br />
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<b>I really want to qualify to run the Boston Marathon. Ever since I have been running (almost 8 years now), I have looked in admiration at the runners I knew who were fast enough to actually qualify and never thought it would be even remotely in my reach - not even in a million years. I didn't consider myself in that league in any way shape or form. To me they were always the ones who were born with the gift of speed and their standard of running was just so fast that it was way out of reach for me. I felt that they ran at a higher standard than I was capable of. I was just content to admire their skill and be happy for their accomplishment of making it to Boston. I never dreamed it could ever become a reality for me.</b><br />
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<b>Until May of this year.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I ran the Ogden Marathon and knocked 23 minutes off of my previous marathon time. I was beyond thrilled! I was surprised even though I did train really hard for that race for almost five months and I followed my training schedule religiously, so I was hoping I would do well, just didn't think I would do that well. My finish time was 4:14 and in order for me to qualify for Boston I needed a 4:00. 14 minutes. Doesn't sound too tough, but trust me, even a single minute is hard to cut off when it comes to a full marathon. BUT . . . it was now in reach! I knew if I worked really hard, I could cut off 14 minutes. So I signed up for the Big Cottonwood Marathon because it is touted as a fast course and many BQ (Boston Qualify) at it. I ran the half last year and while watching the full racers cross the finish line that day and seeing so many reach a BQ, I thought I would possibly attempt it the next year.</b><br />
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<b>Training for it this summer proved to be much harder than I anticipated. Getting up at the crack of insanity to get in a long run before it gets too hot, was tough, as was the discipline required to run my training plan religiously.</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Actually, I was usually out and running on long run days by the time set on this alarm.</span></b></td></tr>
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<b> I used to love running in the heat until last summer when I got heat exhaustion and now the heat really gets to me. It was a hot summer this year and even though I didn't follow my plan to a tee, I did my best. I didn't do my 20 miler long runs as well as I did when training for Ogden, but I did what I could. I was feeling a little burned out as well. The course had changed in a not so good way (much harder) than last year and last year's was tough according to those that ran it. So come race day, I told my husband (and myself) to not expect a BQ. I also took the pressure off of myself to get one. I still wanted to finish with a PR (personal record), but I was relieving myself of the BQ pressure. I just wasn't having very many great runs and my speed wasn't near what it had been before Ogden. I had a back injury this time and that forced some time off too. Overall, I just wasn't sure it was going to happen. So, pressure off!</b><br />
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<b>On race day, I did decide to start out with the 4:00 pacers though and keep with them for as long as I could. I actually ran ahead of them most of the downhill because I knew if I got behind them I would get very discouraged. I wanted to be able to stay positive the entire course.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxPR1M5kbRMDa1kMI8mhu9UiJGqQUbsSi5ieoFirWDxZ8SDx1FBQp2Zcd-nPClnUWy9UJYZbd-8C4eHqfhqibggPfWXcY4SgPJPioxVJUMKIpqjBEDEladg82cccQsM1gNPAT3sJ4dQPH/s1600/BIG+COTTONWOOD+FULL+2014-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxPR1M5kbRMDa1kMI8mhu9UiJGqQUbsSi5ieoFirWDxZ8SDx1FBQp2Zcd-nPClnUWy9UJYZbd-8C4eHqfhqibggPfWXcY4SgPJPioxVJUMKIpqjBEDEladg82cccQsM1gNPAT3sJ4dQPH/s1600/BIG+COTTONWOOD+FULL+2014-13.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></b></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I tried to stay just a little ahead of the 4:00 pace group</span>.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UkDX7uLSghgpGSWn5EzB_xnqNe9cfNSOXnCdCQ9vd6nXAk9nj3y54blARzByMtjJhVB31mRR-H6gdrJU_iZxtfvpgKyfV55WuAtlGmWEipiqUg4wJ3YwIDVjZKPh9gUAJ5zJAAf9_VIB/s1600/BIG+COTTONWOOD+FULL+2014-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UkDX7uLSghgpGSWn5EzB_xnqNe9cfNSOXnCdCQ9vd6nXAk9nj3y54blARzByMtjJhVB31mRR-H6gdrJU_iZxtfvpgKyfV55WuAtlGmWEipiqUg4wJ3YwIDVjZKPh9gUAJ5zJAAf9_VIB/s1600/BIG+COTTONWOOD+FULL+2014-16.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></b></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still feeling strong! (And cold!)</span></b></td></tr>
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<b> </b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5BBL3o_cUW8o4p4zpRCWjNPO_GgHq8SHkV4TPkbQSsSpZhpb0KJPOiI777_zucnRjFTMe9aj1pUfU7ucdjtVdwOGd2zinrEYcuPfZKbc37nULQxELid_4hujP6J-iP8s4pWfJfaNgQ8h/s1600/BIG+COTTONWOOD+FULL+2014-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5BBL3o_cUW8o4p4zpRCWjNPO_GgHq8SHkV4TPkbQSsSpZhpb0KJPOiI777_zucnRjFTMe9aj1pUfU7ucdjtVdwOGd2zinrEYcuPfZKbc37nULQxELid_4hujP6J-iP8s4pWfJfaNgQ8h/s1600/BIG+COTTONWOOD+FULL+2014-33.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></b></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With Adrian, the 4:00 pacer. This was when I was starting to pace a bit behind them, but they were still right in front of me. He had to make a pit stop and he is trying to get to the other pacer to grab the pacing stick.</span></b></td></tr>
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<b>I was so happy Adrian was one of the pacers. I love that guy. He makes
me laugh and he has a lot of wisdom about running smart. I knew if
anyone could help me get there, it was him. Sounds like I still had some hope doesn't it? The honest truth is, I will ALWAYS have hope. About mile 13 or so, I was talking to a woman who was also pacing with the 4:00's who looked about my age and so I asked her if she was trying to BQ that day. She said that she was and that she had flown in from Oklahoma with three friends to run it. We chatted more and discovered we were the same age. She asked me if I knew that particular day was the "magic day" for a BQ? I asked her to explain and she said that if we BQ today (and only today) then we get to run Boston in 2015 AND 2016! And then she went on to say that since we will be 55 at the time of Boston 2016, that we could BQ that day for 2016 with an extra 10 minutes (our qualifying time when we are 55 is 4:10) because we will be 55 that year. Okay, that made me ecstatic! I had an extra 10 minutes I hadn't planned on to BQ! After hearing that info, I really thought it was possible! I was so thrilled!</b><br />
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<b>The only problem was, if I had known that when the race started, I would have paced myself totally differently and started with the 3:55 pacers. I didn't dare do that originally because I didn't want to go too fast at first and then bonk after the downhill. But knowing what I do now, I think if I had done that, I could have crossed that finish line at 4:10. I actually would have had to cross it at 4:08:58 in order to be accepted to Boston (this year anyway - that may change by next year depending on how many apply.) Not everyone that BQ's gets in. They go with the fastest of each age division until no spots are left. This year you had to beat your qualifying time by 1:02. Sounds tough, but I think it was doable if I was shooting for 2016. For 2015 I would have needed a 3:58:58. Ouch!</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqL0aCQvn46-if8_xBev8IlX5EN3UL_NZZQLxJ_iv9fkpBm6XFuZlwYJWzj4D_KCtkn6gazWJMN5beBKRCrGuvOM10kNTu_SVudFs4JfrSgcczUUEwchIzkNC62hrhDfPjhk9qF3Joqr4d/s1600/BIG+COTTONWOOD+FULL+2014-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqL0aCQvn46-if8_xBev8IlX5EN3UL_NZZQLxJ_iv9fkpBm6XFuZlwYJWzj4D_KCtkn6gazWJMN5beBKRCrGuvOM10kNTu_SVudFs4JfrSgcczUUEwchIzkNC62hrhDfPjhk9qF3Joqr4d/s1600/BIG+COTTONWOOD+FULL+2014-35.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></b></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still feeling good? Or just faking it?</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some of the uphill during the out and back. Those 8 miles were NOT fun!</span></b></td></tr>
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<b>I hung with the 4:00's until close to mile 15 when the downhill ended. Not only did it end, but we got to endure some serious rolling hills almost right after the downhill was over. That first large hill was formidable! I don't usually walk in a race, but I really had no choice with that hill. Nearly everyone around me was walking up it - you never see that in a marathon. It was just too much after all that downhill for our legs to transition so fast. But, I kept pushing as hard as I could. I did not give up once. I did feel some keen disappointment as I watched the 4:00's get ahead of me on that hill. I kept trying to remind myself of all the training I had done and to trust in it. I had technically been training for this since January. It wasn't perfect training, but it was a lot of miles and more than I had put in for my first two marathons. I kept telling myself to trust in the training. I know training pays off. One day at a time. One step at a time. It just wasn't quite good enough for me to reach my goal. The out and back part of the race was brutal. There is no other way to describe it. And not just for me. Every single person I talked to, every single blog post I have read, every single FB post, every single finisher I talked to after, all agreed that it was B R U T A L! I also found out that those that had run it last year all said this course was 10 minutes slower than last years. I kind of wish I hadn't heard that. Do you know what that means? If they hadn't changed the course I would have qualified! I finished with a 4:17 time! SEVEN measly minutes shy of a 2016 BQ! I was pretty let down, but at the time I was just so glad I was done running and that it was over, that I didn't really care at the time.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gmAYHHhe6OJXSfMrQtIlzWFaP2y5s52EBXIolot2TS479Y1Zw0-nEGxrFBOCd67vOmgaAVN1VRGE6s3vXx4C6cfC9p4vfYWC4DCd7OMMzXXYu4SjeYoFMQeEtr8v8FuBUr5eTY18etHC/s1600/2014-09-13+Big+Cott+Marathon3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gmAYHHhe6OJXSfMrQtIlzWFaP2y5s52EBXIolot2TS479Y1Zw0-nEGxrFBOCd67vOmgaAVN1VRGE6s3vXx4C6cfC9p4vfYWC4DCd7OMMzXXYu4SjeYoFMQeEtr8v8FuBUr5eTY18etHC/s1600/2014-09-13+Big+Cott+Marathon3.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></b></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Very glad I was done, even though my face isn't showing it. I look like crap because I was feeling like crap. And I also had the
worst neck ache for the last 11 miles and I now know why because in all
my pictures I was holding it up in a weird way. I had no idea I was
doing it while running and I have no idea <i>why</i> I was doing it.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzr-VRsA3TajZqCYScdxdnY-2ygIQEDlrEka2_7KtP3T0x0jWjcZxWEU1c7X6b0k8F0gX4xCHb8yAu794fD1MdJ5B2IipcGkwqELfzP9LMzrnr7MTr5D9uhEIB3T7UL4uYmvKpl_ULiwh/s1600/032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzr-VRsA3TajZqCYScdxdnY-2ygIQEDlrEka2_7KtP3T0x0jWjcZxWEU1c7X6b0k8F0gX4xCHb8yAu794fD1MdJ5B2IipcGkwqELfzP9LMzrnr7MTr5D9uhEIB3T7UL4uYmvKpl_ULiwh/s1600/032.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></b></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With Adrian the 4:00 pacer. He is one awesome pacer!</span></b></td></tr>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1InEk0R22cTsLjDwSmk9yraoNgqx3VRKSdDn-E9KAvHm42nvZlXh78PA7FGJbbaunB7ryTJlAmcS8GEfX1a4V-HsBsKs6RVOOKRo-p3_6HaZgS4bLYuWvXLVL1c8Cu7ANBwVXSUl9TleM/s1600/038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1InEk0R22cTsLjDwSmk9yraoNgqx3VRKSdDn-E9KAvHm42nvZlXh78PA7FGJbbaunB7ryTJlAmcS8GEfX1a4V-HsBsKs6RVOOKRo-p3_6HaZgS4bLYuWvXLVL1c8Cu7ANBwVXSUl9TleM/s1600/038.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></b></div>
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<b>Now that I have had time to think about it and ponder over it, I am seriously let down that I didn't make it. Mostly for the fact that now it means I have to train again and keep running marathons until I DO qualify. UGH! I am not ready to give up on my goal. The day of the race, I had decided to maybe check into running as a charity runner for Cystic Fibrosis because that would mean a lot to me as well, but deep down I want to run it because I earned it, because I was good enough to run it. But I haven't totally thrown the charity idea out the window. Running for CF would be so inspiring to me!</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUeBKkq9KUWn7nG7LRFem5EdzVtzjQnmD1zoiv5S2CS4XM07OdAAH2Xts5Nt5lMBEvOerOhL-8kgdAFU7_4Bsjdh4NNkd-WIMW2VZ_ziDyK2LgdhVT3GASSMi0kJ1f1bRNiqGnIm90WvM/s1600/bostonstrong500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUeBKkq9KUWn7nG7LRFem5EdzVtzjQnmD1zoiv5S2CS4XM07OdAAH2Xts5Nt5lMBEvOerOhL-8kgdAFU7_4Bsjdh4NNkd-WIMW2VZ_ziDyK2LgdhVT3GASSMi0kJ1f1bRNiqGnIm90WvM/s1600/bostonstrong500.jpg" height="123" width="200" /></a></b></div>
<b>The real motivation for me to qualify and run it is because my friend Shauna lives in Maine and she really wants me to run it so she can cheer me on across the finish line. She told me to please sign up and run Boston. She didn't understand that you can't just sign up and run Boston. You have to earn Boston. I have some of my high school buds who have also said they would take the trip over with me and cheer me on. Now that is motivation if anything is! Just knowing you have someone waiting at that finish line is sometimes the thing that gets you to the finish line! This was my first marathon my husband and boys were not able to make it to the finish line. They had unavoidable conflicts. So I had no one I knew cheering me on as I crossed. But that was okay. I was just so thrilled I crossed! There are no words to describe that feeling. No words. I always get so emotional and so elated that I actually did it and just so relieved I am done! I think about <i>that</i> moment for almost 26.2 miles. The moment I can stop running and rest! hah This year I also got sick once I finished. I was very nauseated and dizzy. I am pretty sure I was dehydrated. I really didn't drink like I needed to and it got extremely hot during those last 10 miles. I need to hydrate better so I can avoid that next time.</b><br />
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<b>I am hoping someday I will be able to actually say I qualified. I don't know if it will ever happen, but I am an optimist and so I am going to stay positive. Running is such a fragile thing and you never know what is going to happen with your body and injuries. I just hope this old bod of mine hangs on for a bit longer so I can.</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrfWAKYudhliWe-Fi7lqaqHSHxmuMpielVyQW8wOWuJwaQaPqvdDqljQJAq7_s9_B44jQttrkex_ULMZlnZH3MhXVIaT60CBVk63r19SxRIgbWvsKC4oAno19nOSebBqS1Z1QtLr5sYdh/s1600/dgjdghjdgfh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrfWAKYudhliWe-Fi7lqaqHSHxmuMpielVyQW8wOWuJwaQaPqvdDqljQJAq7_s9_B44jQttrkex_ULMZlnZH3MhXVIaT60CBVk63r19SxRIgbWvsKC4oAno19nOSebBqS1Z1QtLr5sYdh/s1600/dgjdghjdgfh.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></b></div>
<b>So in a nutshell, running Boston is like the Super Bowl for runners. If you run Boston, it means you have earned it. Not everyone who tries to qualify does. Many try each year. One of my good friends ran 18 marathons trying to qualify! She finally did last year and missed getting in by 13 seconds! They have raised the standard higher by only accepting a limited amount of runners and so not even those that do qualify are guaranteed an entrance. Only the fastest of the qualifiers get accepted. </b><br />
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<b>So how does all this relate to Sister Burton's talk and the gospel? Well, since you are still here (amazingly) after this marathon post, I will tell you. Hang in there, you are almost to the finish line!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Sister Burton said because Latter-day Saints come to the temple to
receive eternal blessings, it should not surprise them that a higher
standard is required to qualify for those blessings. “World-class athletes and university doctoral
students spend hours and days and weeks and months and even years of
preparation,” she said. “Daily drops of preparation are required of them
to come out on top. Likewise, those who wish to qualify for exaltation
in the celestial kingdom are expected to live a higher standard of
obedience that comes by practicing the virtue of obedience day by day
and drop by drop.”</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzO_G8G2PDcr78xkJQ9SgBQrZeyweaVfSMcN9h_UHgeUQJH9iTsskqkdBg9XvFaC8hF3NuQKvmy1bxv7-x7zh_dO-Ondm_D7jRtjsVla4R2jihNgd6FAv6N3xp8kVzVLXtWyIVyK8yojv/s1600/10672369_1490027367924947_3929192206952189177_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzO_G8G2PDcr78xkJQ9SgBQrZeyweaVfSMcN9h_UHgeUQJH9iTsskqkdBg9XvFaC8hF3NuQKvmy1bxv7-x7zh_dO-Ondm_D7jRtjsVla4R2jihNgd6FAv6N3xp8kVzVLXtWyIVyK8yojv/s1600/10672369_1490027367924947_3929192206952189177_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></b></div>
<b>Going to the temple requires a higher standard just like getting into Boston requires a higher standard. Not everyone who runs a marathon will be accepted into Boston and not everyone who is a member of the church will be admitted into the temple. Only those that qualify. Qualifying is hard work. It requires daily training. Daily discipline in order to meet those tough standards. It means a lot more when you know you have worked hard to earn that privilege. It's not just something that is handed out to everyone. </b><br />
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<b>Same thing with qualifying for exaltation. Not everyone who is a member of the church and not even everyone who is a temple recommend holder is going to qualify to get into the Celestial Kingdom (CQ = Celestial Qualify). It requires even a higher standard. Only the best of the best will make it to that level. You could call that making it to the Super Bowl of heaven☺or the Olympics of running. It's going to be tough to get to that level. Really tough. But it is doable.</b><br />
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<b>We are probably going to have days when we will look at others and think that we are not in their league. We are not as spiritual as they are. We aren't as good as they are and we never will be. We weren't born with their gifts. We might even think it will be easy for them to qualify, but so much harder for ourselves. But if we<i> really</i> want to qualify then we are going to have to work extra hard even though things may not have been going so well or going according to our plan, and even then, our course may change along the way and we may think it's unfair that our course is harder than someone else's course. We may even get injured (from sinning) along the way and have to change our plan. And most likely our training will not go perfectly. We may get to the point where we would rather just take the pressure off and give up the hope of a CQ. But, like Sister Burton said, if we practice the virtue of obedience (like daily training) day by day and drop by drop, we<i> will</i> qualify. It won't be easy and we will have times when we just want to let go of the dream, but if we keep following the plan (the commandments) then we can. </b><br />
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<b>The best part of the gospel is that just like my friend Marci who had to run 18 marathons to qualify, we will never be told we can't make it as long as we are willing to keep trying and keep training (practicing obedience). And when we come up short - even when we are so close - there is ALWAYS hope that no matter what we do or don't do, we have a loving and forgiving Heavenly Father who will forgive us and give us as many chances as we need to finally get it right and qualify. He is our personal pacer and He will never give up on us. He will encourage us and be there for us whenever we need his support. He gives us hope when we are discouraged. He knows we can do it. We can always rely on Him for help. </b><br />
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<b>And just imagine what crossing THAT finish line is going to be like? All of our family and friends that have already finished the race will be right there cheering us on! What a feeling that will be knowing that we earned it after a hard fought fight. That alone makes all the training and practicing worth it!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>And best of all, a CQ lasts forever... for </b><i><b>eternity.</b> </i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-A1XL3O8Cb2Vb9176gGMhFUKE-NavUdDujgE5Jul67VLsCshOXHwD7nV6xpaztwvi6WJvvEnFtd2TYl1t-p8h2q8QvsvlJwRcBlkHAmfVRFZjetGVpwzZLoRxLTTXHBdWpwN5A3fZQnn/s1600/10560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-A1XL3O8Cb2Vb9176gGMhFUKE-NavUdDujgE5Jul67VLsCshOXHwD7nV6xpaztwvi6WJvvEnFtd2TYl1t-p8h2q8QvsvlJwRcBlkHAmfVRFZjetGVpwzZLoRxLTTXHBdWpwN5A3fZQnn/s1600/10560.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Something else to keep in mind along the way!</span></b><u><br /></u></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/100/9AB65D3FBBF4764D551319A914FA884B.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>
Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-28232293077344705922014-05-17T15:41:00.000-06:002014-11-12T15:42:04.808-07:00Ogden Marathon 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ogden Marathon 2014!
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Marathon Post (literally!)</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Number three is in the books!</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Three fulls and 11 half marathons to date. </span> </span></b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJbBIBkvylQfJB4SDoQhI47G-ezvMIxfd4AHkucMAY6Rsg0PrvWFEKlHcwarr1dczHjKt1cWQVtj0Rp2oOziYnKpPvoAoDyUAdmMrnFzauqKu74mqh5pRfcROK18aSuulyvZvvBG-jcY/s1600/10325716_10202739504986137_5613768099590565385_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJbBIBkvylQfJB4SDoQhI47G-ezvMIxfd4AHkucMAY6Rsg0PrvWFEKlHcwarr1dczHjKt1cWQVtj0Rp2oOziYnKpPvoAoDyUAdmMrnFzauqKu74mqh5pRfcROK18aSuulyvZvvBG-jcY/s1600/10325716_10202739504986137_5613768099590565385_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <b> I am going to start this post with what I wrote on Facebook because I think that it basically sums up this experience. And that way, if you don't want to read the rest of this very long post, then you will have the basics. Kind of like doing a 5K instead of a marathon. LOL I really write these things for me anyway so I can go back and remember the experience as a reference for the next one. <i>Next one? </i> Did I really just write that?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">☺</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Facebook post: </span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent">I DIDN'T DIE! Even finished without a
stretcher! And got a NEW PR! Finished in 4:14! I'm beyond excited.
One of my hardest runs ever. Running a marathon is hard even if you are
feeling up to par, but not feeling 100% makes it so much mo<span class="text_exposed_show">re
difficult. One of my instagram friends said it best: "Marathons tear
you down and bare your insides at your most vulnerable times". I had
to dig deep and pray a lot. I felt your prayers for me as well. At
mile 18 I prayed that I would have help to push me through and I felt a
huge relief as I was able to put one foot in front of the other when I
so desperately wanted to quit. I felt like I was being pushed by angels.
Then I looked down and found this penny I'm holding. It was so hard
to reach down and pick it up, but once I did I felt strength surge
through my entire being. I clutched that thing with a death grip the
rest of the way. I knew Tyson placed it there when I needed it most.
Thank you to my angels Tyson and Gina.
I KNOW that you were right there pushing me along. After that I was
determined to reach that finish line and cross it strong. I'm so
grateful for all the support from my family friends, both seen and
unseen. I can do hard things because of you! This penny is more
valuable to me than my medal!</span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After four and half months of training, it was finally here! I trained really hard for this one. I stayed pretty true to my training plan and rarely missed any miles with the exception of when I thought I had a stress fracture and took about a week off and a couple of other days off when I was afraid I was getting plantar fasciitis. Other than that, I really worked it hard. I used the Hal Higdon Intermediate 1 and 2 Training Plan. I did three 20 mile runs compared to my usual just one, and I made those miles count this time instead of taking it at a slower pace. I logged in almost 550 miles, which was a little short of the plans, but more than I've done in my past marathon training.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As race day was fast approaching, I was getting seriously nervous because the weather was predicted to be in the low 80's. Runners always start to obsess about the forecast two weeks out. It's kind of funny because we have no control over it, but we freak out anyway! Weather is always a HUGE factor come race day. Last year I ran this race in a downpour for the entire 26.2 miles and ended up with hypothermia after I crossed the finish line, as did most of the runners. </span></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8PSPi_OIldtFUsgDS1CSvST7elmZUaVQ_Pb8-pI29UVCSOpIn9iTf-tBoRGIt0ligxPP2MaVc74x6jcuogwhBTiGLzN-8qVFMrcQ-aqQpyKy6ATnh9O3paf6oxovK4RdmZGkTyWVuN0/s1600/ogden+marathon12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8PSPi_OIldtFUsgDS1CSvST7elmZUaVQ_Pb8-pI29UVCSOpIn9iTf-tBoRGIt0ligxPP2MaVc74x6jcuogwhBTiGLzN-8qVFMrcQ-aqQpyKy6ATnh9O3paf6oxovK4RdmZGkTyWVuN0/s1600/ogden+marathon12.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></span></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just a little memory of last year's downpour!</span></b></span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This year, I had no fear of rain, just heat. Heat will kill a race <span style="font-size: small;">(and possibly a racer!)</span> haha, especially when it suddenly arrives before you have any time to acclimatize to it. You need 7-10 days to do that and since I had only run in temps above 62° three times prior (and those runs were so draining because I wasn't used to the heat), I was becoming concerned. Most of my training was done in very cold temperatures because spring was a little slow in getting here. And then if that wasn't stressing me out enough, on Thursday I
started feeling like I had the flu! <span style="font-size: small;">(Always a good way to take my mind off of the fear of the high temps!) </span> I was panicked! Here I
train for FOUR and a HALF months for my race on Saturday and two days
before I GET SICK! Noooooooooooooooo!!!! I couldn't believe it!
Seriously. </span></b></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Could. Not. Believe. It.</span></b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I never get sick! When I woke up I
felt like I hadn't slept all night. I was also feeling queasy and dizzy, my brain felt foggy, and I was sore all over! Not really achy, but
sore...as if I had already ran a marathon. I didn't feel like I was
going to throw up though until I realized that I may have to run feeling
like this! That was a nauseating thought! I tried to take it as easy
as I could all while trying to take care of Dave who was also sick, (though much
sicker than I - but HE didn't have a marathon in two days!). I would be
more than happy to be sick, but just NOT RIGHT NOW! Argh! I wasn't
feeling any better on Friday when I woke up either. I felt so weak and
worn out. I had a little bawl fest and was very discouraged. One of
my greatest fears was coming to fruition. Running a marathon with the
flu! Last year another of my greatest fears came to pass too...running a
marathon in a downpour. I survived that and felt very hard core
after knowing I had conquered that fear and so maybe just for fun I get to experience another fear just to see if I can push
through it too. Sometimes heaven has quite the sense of humor. Hmm.... I think I better quit having fears when it comes
to marathons! It seems every time I do, that it comes to pass!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tVCwERQ9pG5jiBQvBG-6onS-ZAYwcxAltgk2EG3dzBt6u-X09NDNVd8WadWquz7THGNsLWK_jjrsYJKQnRrOKTk0LpgMrdzC1Z6mhfVbYdxTVilmX7HFjYGXr5M3JwsgJUaJFX_Gn2Q/s1600/halfmarathon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tVCwERQ9pG5jiBQvBG-6onS-ZAYwcxAltgk2EG3dzBt6u-X09NDNVd8WadWquz7THGNsLWK_jjrsYJKQnRrOKTk0LpgMrdzC1Z6mhfVbYdxTVilmX7HFjYGXr5M3JwsgJUaJFX_Gn2Q/s1600/halfmarathon.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Friday, I had to go to the expo and pick up my race packet. As I
walked around, I started to feel less dizzy and queasy. That gave me
some hope. I got my picture taken with running guru Jeff Galloway. I wanted to ask him what his advice was about running a full marathon with the flu, but I was afraid he would jump away from me as if I had the plague. I tried not to breath on him or shake his hand.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">☺(hehe - I really don't think I was contagious).</span> </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedIOpOQjuK3rzjF13vI0N7OGXUNeCh7UrABYLuFSJ4wpr39Rt6abyNzTi8r63d5m2wZIyZkU9b0lO5_6qS7KHIWnRjZP2HIIe7VSjzXa8pcbDDC-9jFfjbht2sfqc-QF3bDx_T774Gyc/s1600/2014-05-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedIOpOQjuK3rzjF13vI0N7OGXUNeCh7UrABYLuFSJ4wpr39Rt6abyNzTi8r63d5m2wZIyZkU9b0lO5_6qS7KHIWnRjZP2HIIe7VSjzXa8pcbDDC-9jFfjbht2sfqc-QF3bDx_T774Gyc/s1600/2014-05-16.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I was supposed to be carb
loading for three days before but I couldn't eat much of anything on
Thursday. I forced my oatmeal down on Friday and by lunch time I was
able to eat a rice bowl and Rumbi sweet potato fries. They tasted so
delish! That gave me a lot of hope! I had a really hard time trying to
hydrate and tried to sip water all day. I had to force some pasta down Friday night. NOT good. I
worried and fretted and freaked that I was going to totally crash and
burn. But I knew no matter what (short of throwing up non-stop) that I was
going to run it. So I tried to put my focus on how I was going to
manage. The good thing about it is that it took away my fear and worry
of the heat on race day and instead I was totally
focused on how I would survive being sick. I put it in the Lord's
hands because I no longer had any control of what happened. I did my
best to stay healthy and train hard and the sad thing is that no matter
what you do, it all comes down to ONE day. Just ONE day. And anything
can happen on that ONE day. Anything... But usually what happens is
one of your greatest fears comes to pass. At least in my case. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02TRTH1RUkEm7A3LS6I1mU2Qe1y7JGF10f9qbJILqo1EwvY46tpBWCWeVlqLlFoQ40ujeoQIUJqpKPX7r7-MvlwSxTo3YyK6UDxuZJnywtxJdPWm4zbr2_bCbpi1C48sRYhZJbbng5qc/s1600/running+in+the+rain+4-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02TRTH1RUkEm7A3LS6I1mU2Qe1y7JGF10f9qbJILqo1EwvY46tpBWCWeVlqLlFoQ40ujeoQIUJqpKPX7r7-MvlwSxTo3YyK6UDxuZJnywtxJdPWm4zbr2_bCbpi1C48sRYhZJbbng5qc/s1600/running+in+the+rain+4-18.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I asked Dave to give me a blessing right before I went to bed on Friday and that relaxed my nerves some. I slept pretty well and when my alarm went off at 3:00 a.m. I felt much better than I had when I woke up the previous two days. I can't even express how relieved that made me feel. I got ready and decided I was going to do this and come what may, give it my best. I waited for my ride and once they came I hauled all my junk out of the door thinking I really needed a suitcase for it all. My friend Heather said that we all need a little red wagon to pull with us as we run so we have everything we need. The visual of that makes me laugh!</span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHn87PhyphenhyphenkK4izp9jGD4A0FgaUp-2nwIyzbqf4rbmhMPFP0vDWLMVf9vtmsZX46UPqbwlSHjj5PtF1wTBAjSc43gUoiX5Lo6iCkTwcQFyxUz5BlKY5xo8nCBDJSX8xMbv2h9XSdtfYbE4/s1600/2014-05-16+-+OGDEN+MARATHON+20141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHn87PhyphenhyphenkK4izp9jGD4A0FgaUp-2nwIyzbqf4rbmhMPFP0vDWLMVf9vtmsZX46UPqbwlSHjj5PtF1wTBAjSc43gUoiX5Lo6iCkTwcQFyxUz5BlKY5xo8nCBDJSX8xMbv2h9XSdtfYbE4/s1600/2014-05-16+-+OGDEN+MARATHON+20141.jpg" height="302" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No turning back now...</span></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiMektVU7wvtoCpWXU9OxPe4iNrMlFhxxc9K2su8IpknnlJwT8vj1o2hUnm-Hxy0r6Vr5LvvbY7MP2gjoXR0CNm1rd2VC5szz-maIUoCPCQO9iclTUc6Ivv45N8U_OF1KmlUDWBoyk_s/s1600/2014-05-16+-+OGDEN+MARATHON+20142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiMektVU7wvtoCpWXU9OxPe4iNrMlFhxxc9K2su8IpknnlJwT8vj1o2hUnm-Hxy0r6Vr5LvvbY7MP2gjoXR0CNm1rd2VC5szz-maIUoCPCQO9iclTUc6Ivv45N8U_OF1KmlUDWBoyk_s/s1600/2014-05-16+-+OGDEN+MARATHON+20142.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Top left:</u> with Heather before she left to catch the bus for the half. <u>Top right:</u> with cute Marci at the start. <u> Bottom left</u>: with Jen's Provo running pals. <u>Bottom right: </u>with John Parrish from our hood.</span></b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There were a lot of porta potties! But with 3500 runners, they could have used a few more! Too bad I didn't get a photo of myself when I came out of the porta potty with a piece of TP stuck to my shoe. That was fun. </span></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5TkuO5LDTB1qzm-kxspefS4UUhk-j2Zmgr6vIVsMO5ycq-S0kRGtVT-wdwLP81iJH5MdKDOp4CW48xHD0s9I-XHP9p75HMsdcTaOVPpT38v25CrTjK8_nSqmam2IIBqm6WDSYufpOU8/s1600/2014-05-16+-+OGDEN+MARATHON+20143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5TkuO5LDTB1qzm-kxspefS4UUhk-j2Zmgr6vIVsMO5ycq-S0kRGtVT-wdwLP81iJH5MdKDOp4CW48xHD0s9I-XHP9p75HMsdcTaOVPpT38v25CrTjK8_nSqmam2IIBqm6WDSYufpOU8/s1600/2014-05-16+-+OGDEN+MARATHON+20143.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>To do these justice you must click to enlarge</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Me and Jen with Adrian. ↓ He is our favorite runner! </span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5oluB1-sBIO67Ihzi-F_ky68EcGzTf9FEPNvc4AlBRqanD19Jr31tMcWJaQIRFXhZ34W8fG4xv9wB7xWCu_FzBd0HiAbbMOiGtH149h4T3Hxbehyr581relfubYvG-E-207tgnSFHWY/s1600/Collages173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5oluB1-sBIO67Ihzi-F_ky68EcGzTf9FEPNvc4AlBRqanD19Jr31tMcWJaQIRFXhZ34W8fG4xv9wB7xWCu_FzBd0HiAbbMOiGtH149h4T3Hxbehyr581relfubYvG-E-207tgnSFHWY/s1600/Collages173.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We pace with him with the American Flyers and he is the funnest and funniest runner I know. He is always smiling and always has something positive to say. His bright pink shoes were the hit of the day. He has a lot of fans and made the rounds at the start. When I was on mile 18, I felt someone tugging on my fuel belt, and I turned around and it was him. As he passed me, I can't remember what he said, but it made me laugh when I needed it! I ended up passing him about mile 22. I think he is coming back from an injury because I never beat him. He is a speed demon.</span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This
↑ will always be one of my favorite photos of this race. <span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-small;"><i>(click to enlarge)</i></span> I only wish I
had been able to capture it sooner. All along that fence was a straight
line of the male gender doing what the male gender are lucky enough to
be able to do in a situation such as the start of a marathon. I say
this because as you saw in the other photos, there are hundreds of porta
potties, BUT there are thousands of runners who need to use those porta
potties. When you do the math you can see why the lines are ALWAYS
extremely long. An experienced runner knows that the very first thing
you do once you get off the bus is to get in the long line or you may
not have time before the race starts. Many runners get right back in
line after, because they know they will most likely need to go again
before race start. Nerves... Unless you are of the male gender. If
someone from that gender is in line, either before or during the race,
you pretty much know that they needed to do business of a slightly
different nature. If only I could have captured it a bit earlier, I am
sure the photo would have gone viral or something because it was the
funniest sight ever. As far as the girl in the forefront...I do believe
she is praying. Something most runners do a lot of on race day!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">On
the bus ride up, Jen and I were talking about our finish time goal.
She had printed out a pace band for 4:15 that was course specific. I
had the 4:15 and 4:00 on my wrist because I wasn't sure what I would be
capable of doing and I wanted both just in case. Mine weren't course
specific and so I wrote her splits down on the back of one of
mine. It's always better to pace with a course specific pace. I just
knew I couldn't go out too fast at the start, but not too slow either. I
had made another trip to the runner's best friend <span style="font-size: small;">(porta potties or Honey Bucket as runners call them)</span> and
when I came out everyone was lining up. I couldn't find Jen. I still
wasn't sure what my plan was but I decided to line up with the 4:00
pacers and see how I did. I stayed with the 3:50 pacers at the SLC Half
Marathon for 11 miles and so I was hopeful, but with the circumstances
of being sick and the heat, I just wasn't sure what I could do.
Finishing at 4:00 was a dream that would be a real miracle. I decided
to shoot for the moon and be happy if I landed among the stars. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NGaLcyaISLJBjeUHbe14Kzgpp4iErQvg1W_8eRBC_sd0Em3KScMJrMb19RdhrnOQ7srl0bRj8JqAVYkmAi8zzcTgeOUGsCyE-H_N8Ye6qO_lF6uT2CEYYVRZ2g-ZKkkK3Ox4F4NqyeY/s1600/82.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NGaLcyaISLJBjeUHbe14Kzgpp4iErQvg1W_8eRBC_sd0Em3KScMJrMb19RdhrnOQ7srl0bRj8JqAVYkmAi8zzcTgeOUGsCyE-H_N8Ye6qO_lF6uT2CEYYVRZ2g-ZKkkK3Ox4F4NqyeY/s1600/82.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I
got in with the 4:00 pacers. There is just nothing like the start of a
marathon. The energy, nerves, and excitement is so thick you could cut
it. I love that feeling! </span></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFfZ9jPZJA9ZfXMWlx2LTDKd-97N0zMZfZHQa4z7zT3A-2hxSt7R7FPtN0gLJwmSH8FqQ7h1P4MZijJs2dlsg7g3E0W_VwWWPyuHHw3oM9BGvIpLlyPF5ihxnSQASD7bOUL8nCrLiB9U/s1600/1958145_10202739502746081_1739061478571746230_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFfZ9jPZJA9ZfXMWlx2LTDKd-97N0zMZfZHQa4z7zT3A-2hxSt7R7FPtN0gLJwmSH8FqQ7h1P4MZijJs2dlsg7g3E0W_VwWWPyuHHw3oM9BGvIpLlyPF5ihxnSQASD7bOUL8nCrLiB9U/s1600/1958145_10202739502746081_1739061478571746230_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm in there somewhere among those 3500 runners.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was pretty cool at the start and I left
my jacket and gloves on for about the first 6 miles. Surprisingly,
things were not feeling as easy for me as I expected for those first 10
or so miles. I'm not saying any miles are easy, but usually in a full,
those first 5 or 6 pass really quickly without a lot of effort. Not so
this time. I'm not sure if it's because of not feeling well or if it
was because I was sticking with the pacers. I wasn't sure if I should
slow down because I didn't want to crash and burn at the end which
happens if you go out too fast at the beginning. I felt like it was
taking a lot of effort, but I kept up with them. By mile 11 they were
getting a little bit ahead of me, but I still stayed with them. By mile
13, they were quite a bit ahead of me, but still visible, but I was
okay to just go at the pace I was capable of. My dreams of qualifying
for Boston did die a sad death at that point though. I wasn't sure if I
could sustain the effort I was currently giving, let alone keep it
strong for another 13 miles. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And then the hill....</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The
dreaded hill on mile 14. I tend to slow down on hills, but for some
reason I was able to run up that killer without losing a lot of speed. I
was determined to run that thing without stopping once. It went on and
on and on! Luckily that is where the best posters are. The hill is
loaded with them and it keeps your mind off the pain. The photo below
on the left shows a few of them. Once I reached the top, I could no
longer see the 4:00 pacers. Like I said they don't pace with a course
specific time and so they take the uphills the same pace as the
downhill, which is absurd! I never saw them again.</span></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Click to enlarge. I saw the pink one at about mile 24. </span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VUWMtOZx9ck78qyLLGPJIHPArIlrr6kfAriBkPxEkhTkcWe0hAUumqB1PE2b6PLuHNT2-0TpAghRkf_YHjjpHs9WAeRPAwV-0oBILQbLRUKn8b8zbZ_dSdKrQTXShv90cv_Bi0OjR2Q/s1600/Collages172.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VUWMtOZx9ck78qyLLGPJIHPArIlrr6kfAriBkPxEkhTkcWe0hAUumqB1PE2b6PLuHNT2-0TpAghRkf_YHjjpHs9WAeRPAwV-0oBILQbLRUKn8b8zbZ_dSdKrQTXShv90cv_Bi0OjR2Q/s1600/Collages172.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Some photos I got online of the marathon...</span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-qfjIyBM1XLXJtFn53LHb7XWHryrEDnPjnhauC36oP8QfJEcbU4ZIf4y8XofV9EjvDJl6SV7T-RIhb6FzoABn_CPSB7nNA8WYTUPxuQfBuifraMKbA18y600KkJMwJySV7bT2KU0sTA/s1600/2014-05-213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-qfjIyBM1XLXJtFn53LHb7XWHryrEDnPjnhauC36oP8QfJEcbU4ZIf4y8XofV9EjvDJl6SV7T-RIhb6FzoABn_CPSB7nNA8WYTUPxuQfBuifraMKbA18y600KkJMwJySV7bT2KU0sTA/s1600/2014-05-213.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKanfQ0SuyaT-hqmaQvmg33ntUn1yC-srNsm7yZt7KAdAgoVng4UMRIJN1zuINF6WYWEQMEjx7lct0ft8PrzS60VzAVIKOjc1tV4wuMIfu1O0vVL80S5mu8Qjmkdqo9-1oYB2np_FVarc/s1600/2014-05-212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKanfQ0SuyaT-hqmaQvmg33ntUn1yC-srNsm7yZt7KAdAgoVng4UMRIJN1zuINF6WYWEQMEjx7lct0ft8PrzS60VzAVIKOjc1tV4wuMIfu1O0vVL80S5mu8Qjmkdqo9-1oYB2np_FVarc/s1600/2014-05-212.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></span></b></span></div>
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</span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I
just kept waiting for that wonderful downhill once you go around the
dam. It seemed like it took forever to reach it this year. And it was
getting so hot! I kept pouring cold water on my head to cool off. My
feet were hurting like I've never experienced before too. They were on
fire and very tired. I hope it's not because of my shoes. I love my
Altra's but maybe they aren't that great for long distance. Finally at
about mile 17 or 18, I made it to the downhill. Prior to that, I wasn't sure if I could
keep going at that pace. I was going pretty fast and I was really looking forward to some straight
downhill to give my cardio a break. I was hurting. I was sick of running. I wanted to be done.
I questioned why I ever signed up for this. I wondered why there are
so many crazy people that do sign up for these things. I couldn't
believe I was one of them. I wanted that finish line to just pop up
now. I cranked up my music and tried to push all the negative thoughts
out of my head. I started to repeat mantras to myself, "<i>You are
strong!", "You can do this!", "Fight!", "Push!", "Your body will give
out before your mind will, so don't listen to your body!", "You are
going to get a new PR at this rate!", "Trust in your training., "It is paying off.", "You have family at the finish
line waiting for you.", "They will be proud of you.".... </i> All those
thoughts and many more, I kept trying to focus on. They didn't seem to
be working too well for me and so I said a prayer that went something
like this, <i>"Okay whoever is available up there, I could really use
some help down here. Do you think you could just give me a push for a
while so I can regain some strength? This is really hard and I could really use some help. Please?". </i><i> </i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I
was really hoping for some kind of help. And miraculously enough, I
got it. I felt a renewed strength and even though I was still dead
tired and would have loved to quit at that moment and be done, I knew I could make it a
little farther because I felt like I had some angels pushing me along.
It was amazing. I was still able to maintain my strong pace. There was also some good downhill at this point
that also helped. My fatigue lifted for a bit and I was so grateful. I
kept looking at my Garmin and was pretty discouraged because it seemed like
every time I looked at it, it was reading in the 10:00's and I never
felt like I was pacing in the 10:00's. But I accepted that it would be
what it would be and I was giving it my all and I would have to be happy
with it. I never saw the 4:15 pacers pass me either and so even though
I thought I would finish slower than that, I wasn't sure why I was
still ahead of them with paces in the 10:00's. Come to find out I only
looked at it when it was relocating the satellite or when I had gone a
little slower for a few seconds. </span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTIs3tOa1iVo66SNGM-uUnlDNJfXrn15EFP2hFDXtQyujrZK1MJKiZr0XPYQrRHMXkFryKHmhqtm0iw-AsMd-0uBggZCHKOHFK2CGEtOCfB-uTIaSC8YAodbVPS-NTGTGtHK1Btj_eGU/s1600/2014-05-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTIs3tOa1iVo66SNGM-uUnlDNJfXrn15EFP2hFDXtQyujrZK1MJKiZr0XPYQrRHMXkFryKHmhqtm0iw-AsMd-0uBggZCHKOHFK2CGEtOCfB-uTIaSC8YAodbVPS-NTGTGtHK1Btj_eGU/s1600/2014-05-21.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>My favorite aid station (Ogden Clinic). They always do the coolest things!</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesg3Zg3Db1Is36wsETPGlMxcLQUdoAh6SVPNtlIk_2yPF616q3XDncpysowsSc4sNy1re25YVxMn3LLc5XaVYtDYZOMN5MdceOePDFwNyQ1za9sH4Id7-YTpSrY4C_UewK7TnAKZcB_0/s1600/Collages177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesg3Zg3Db1Is36wsETPGlMxcLQUdoAh6SVPNtlIk_2yPF616q3XDncpysowsSc4sNy1re25YVxMn3LLc5XaVYtDYZOMN5MdceOePDFwNyQ1za9sH4Id7-YTpSrY4C_UewK7TnAKZcB_0/s1600/Collages177.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Some photos I got online</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0jYC3kw8tF_-vD0tCYaMzR4T1W2UoDrMGx7EtrpLHiSGhDbBwvqW8_kG2wVX2stFCZwCM1l1Uak8uOhMK75StRt4A2BpwmXRhusxpnF1qZUDWTL5L26BfZpA9f6PLcyfvE6VPJYSNXo/s1600/2014-05-214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0jYC3kw8tF_-vD0tCYaMzR4T1W2UoDrMGx7EtrpLHiSGhDbBwvqW8_kG2wVX2stFCZwCM1l1Uak8uOhMK75StRt4A2BpwmXRhusxpnF1qZUDWTL5L26BfZpA9f6PLcyfvE6VPJYSNXo/s1600/2014-05-214.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1vefwLd3p8vo40F8_9rDrbJrASek8ogEc2p4w_gNILWNJnZm3A8WZkqYRWIMExrO4Jozf56aNoqrPwORrSqPhXWlpaDPeYyaR105sIyZkvqMY7P9y1K_JWpcf-6D7mchk0tjuw1ELug/s1600/2014-05-215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1vefwLd3p8vo40F8_9rDrbJrASek8ogEc2p4w_gNILWNJnZm3A8WZkqYRWIMExrO4Jozf56aNoqrPwORrSqPhXWlpaDPeYyaR105sIyZkvqMY7P9y1K_JWpcf-6D7mchk0tjuw1ELug/s1600/2014-05-215.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once
we got to the end of the canyon, I knew I only had a 5K left. I almost
rolled my ankle (twice) on some loose rocks when we ran down the dirt
hill into the tunnel. That really scared me! I was so grateful I
didn't! I knew those last three miles were going to be ten times worse
than all the 23 before and so I tried to mentally prepare for
them. I ate three Shot Bloks that had some caffeine in them on
mile 22 and I hoped that would help get me through. I had really tried
to fuel well and stay hydrated this time. I ate a yogurt, banana, and Cliff bar before the start. I took my first gel at mile
5 (salted caramel), then another at mile 11 (peanut butter), another at mile 16.5 (salted caramel), and the Bloks (cherry chocolate) at mile
21-22. I have never been able to do that before. I learned you have to
force that stuff down even if you want to barf while doing it,
otherwise you will bonk. I also munched on a pretzel or two and a
cinnamon Jolly Rancher. I didn't take any drugs from strangers this
year like I did last year either! haha Yes, that has been the family
joke for a year now. Some guy had all these pills at the start last
year and I was so fearing those last three miles that I asked him about
them and he told me they are what him and all his running buddies take
to make it those last six miles. He said it was a No-Doz and it had a lot
of caffeine in it. So I asked for one! Yes, me the Queen of refusing
to take even a Tylenol or Advil unless I am on my death bed, asked for
one! I was desperately in fear of those last miles! I took it at mile
23 and almost passed out! I was so dizzy and my head was spinning so
fast and I thought I was going to collapse on the asphalt. I had to
walk it off for a bit and then I was okay after about a half mile or
so. NOT smart! But, I did sprint across the finish line! I don't drink anything
with caffeine in it and so I'm sure my poor system was freaking out.
Anyway it's a family joke now. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">However,
this year if someone had come up to me and offered me a caffeine pill at that
point, I'm afraid I would've accepted. You get to a point in those last
three miles where you want to feel better so bad and want to be done
and your brain isn't fully functioning either and so it would be a great
place for drug dealers if we runners were carrying any money on us.
haha No, I actually learned my lesson, and know better now! </span></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAuu2pMUzrj4ahaXPA6iVsgFagTaSl8NsMVg6iKhma4EI-dHdeayFVMDrq6G79RKoU7MBxjexC1dT0VYypS5ml764mlaEcCKgXOtpnetxvSRshrTrFSMUwvsj__18QHKH1gnEz9rHqmA/s1600/Screen+Captures2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAuu2pMUzrj4ahaXPA6iVsgFagTaSl8NsMVg6iKhma4EI-dHdeayFVMDrq6G79RKoU7MBxjexC1dT0VYypS5ml764mlaEcCKgXOtpnetxvSRshrTrFSMUwvsj__18QHKH1gnEz9rHqmA/s1600/Screen+Captures2.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Here are a few of the professional shots taken during the race. Excuse the water marks, but I refuse to pay $25 for a single photo unless there was a really good one. Which there was not. I never like my race photos. I get super critical about my form and everything else. And these photos always make you look like you are walking instead of running. I really did run the entire thing. But these will help me to remember the experience, (with or without the watermark). Besides, PROOF just means proof I ran it right? ☺ I really wanted to do a jump shot, but I had to conserve my energy. hah The smiling took as much energy as I could muster.</span> </b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">About mile 23, I
said another prayer and expressed thanks for the previous help and
asked if I could get some more for those last three miles. I said, <i>"Come on Tys, please help out your Mom"</i>.
Within seconds after that, I saw a penny laying on the ground! I
couldn't believe it! It took all I had to stop and bend over and pick
it up, but nothing was going to stop me from doing that! I knew it was a
direct sign from Tyson letting me know that he was there helping me
along. I KNEW. That lifted my spirits so much! There was a runner
next to me that saw me pick it up and he said, <i>"Good luck for you!".</i> I said, <i>"Yes! It's from my son that passed away!".</i> And it was. I
wanted to put it in my pocket, but doing that took way too much energy
and so I just clutched that thing with a death grip so I wouldn't lose
it. What a blessing to me. What perfect timing too! I was beaming
from ear to ear even though I was still hurting and so ready to be
done. But it gave me a surge of energy that I needed! That
is how I made it those last three miles and finished strong. </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The last mile seemed
forever. It always does because you can see the finish line ahead but
it looks like you will never reach it because it's so far away. And just knowing you are so close for some reason makes it harder. I kept
repeating, <i>"Just one step at a time. One step. That will get you there.". </i>
Luckily that is where you get some spectators and the cheering helps
more than you can possibly know. I couldn't find a good song on my
playlist and I spent half of the mile trying to find a good song that
would really energize me. I turned the volume way up so I wouldn't
focus on the distance. Any little thing to help get there. Every step
was getting harder and I really felt like I had lead in my shoes. I
told myself to remember that this is all mental. No matter what the
distance, once you know you are getting close to the finish line, it
gets harder. So I told myself to just pretend that I was running 100
miles like in the documentary<i> Unbreakable</i> that Jen and I had watched
this week. That didn't seem to help, so I then I tried telling myself I
was running a 30 miler. It's amazing how powerful the mind is, because
that thought really did help me get there a little stronger. I'm
convinced your body will do whatever your mind tells it to do. It's
amazing really. </span></b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0AHbGaL423VIlAAi3zMH2FTyso_JeJ0OywyfH9ZkYxXqRQV7PnCjjj7MAb9ELEW4u4kmAhQuFhuXrYfMfgVkjHU0Xvq1uxr6haEDLM7739kifl9VlZxhALHoAzn6UUKiA06MMthP5bw/s1600/2014-05-16+-+OGDEN+MARATHON+20144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0AHbGaL423VIlAAi3zMH2FTyso_JeJ0OywyfH9ZkYxXqRQV7PnCjjj7MAb9ELEW4u4kmAhQuFhuXrYfMfgVkjHU0Xvq1uxr6haEDLM7739kifl9VlZxhALHoAzn6UUKiA06MMthP5bw/s1600/2014-05-16+-+OGDEN+MARATHON+20144.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I
was almost there! I heard Dave yell out my name and saw him. My boys
were there and my parents. I had several friends who were there in
spirit that wanted to come but couldn't. </span></span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I DID IT!</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And without
medical aid or a stretcher! But with a lot of help from angels seen and unseen. That stretcher did sound good a couple of times though! haha And the next couple of days I could
have used a wheelchair because it was quite painful to walk! </span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I crossed the finish line strong at</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">4:14:51! </span> <span style="font-size: large;">A new PR for me! Wow! I was so happy, I can't even tell you! I shaved 23 minutes off of my last marathon time. I ran the entire way at a pretty steady pace, usually around the 9:20-9:30's. My overall pace was 9:44. I was truly excited about that! I was still a little bummed I didn't make it in 4:00 so I could qualify for Boston, but I think I possibly could have<i> if</i> the stars had all aligned perfectly for this race and it had been cooler and I had not been sick...but it is a<i> very rare </i>race to have everything go perfectly. So I have no excuses. I just feel very blessed and very satisfied everything went as well as it did.<i> </i> The only drawback is now that I am that close to a BQ, I know I am going to want to keep trying to get it. But 14 minutes is a lot of time to shave off. If I could maintain where I'm at for three more years, then my qualifying time goes to 4:10. Yes, I guess there are some advantages to becoming a geezer! I'm not looking forward to all that training again, but most likely by next week I will be ready to go. Did I mention runners are crazy? </span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I got my medal and lots
of hugs. And then chocolate milk! That is the best after treat in the world! I was so grateful that two of my boys were able to come, as well as my parents, and most of all my husband. He has been so sick this whole week and I know it took a lot out of him to come.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I wish there was a way to describe that feeling you get when you cross that finish line. I'm not sure there are words that can even convey the true feeling. It's not even close to the feeling of any other finish line, even a half marathon. It's really something so personal and something that no one but you can understand because no one else knows how deep you had to dig to get there. Not only on race day, but for the 4.5 months of training. In crazy weather. At crazy times of day. No one but you know the thoughts you have during those 26 miles, or how bad you may want to quit at certain times of the race even while knowing that quitting is NEVER an option. It just isn't. It's one of those things that you really do have to experience in order to appreciate. Running a marathon is truly a spiritual experience. And I have the evidence to prove it! ↓</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vPXTW9ek88yM_V8JGrgteIl4-zYR2GwIifaN1tvD1rmun4kqRd_rAMhg7O7YwrdSepCx1EazRz_zBoQ2M-3ANfjhON0vJb4c3K26XRXhGXAQscOG72Gab8jN6JjVZhTQXAPt0tq84ao/s1600/IMG_7983.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vPXTW9ek88yM_V8JGrgteIl4-zYR2GwIifaN1tvD1rmun4kqRd_rAMhg7O7YwrdSepCx1EazRz_zBoQ2M-3ANfjhON0vJb4c3K26XRXhGXAQscOG72Gab8jN6JjVZhTQXAPt0tq84ao/s1600/IMG_7983.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With my prized possession penny! It's more valuable to me than the medal.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznBeQDcGU07amZGcvUxVKyAmWeIbUSgbq-qdMGyNmi5ZOHSOxZW29r4U-yQ3DAD_c5lHuvaVK3YWCudI9ik-IGQFg7Yat31D5mCII_fi35Es_WF8AF6Mq15AkxsBJH6FFA_FYFa4K7e8/s1600/IMG_7998.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznBeQDcGU07amZGcvUxVKyAmWeIbUSgbq-qdMGyNmi5ZOHSOxZW29r4U-yQ3DAD_c5lHuvaVK3YWCudI9ik-IGQFg7Yat31D5mCII_fi35Es_WF8AF6Mq15AkxsBJH6FFA_FYFa4K7e8/s1600/IMG_7998.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This guy is one of those seen angels that has been supporting me the whole way! He always gives me encouragement when I need it most and never doubted me, even when I got the crazy notion of trying to get a BQ. He would bring me water on my long runs and was genuinely interested in how my training was going. He even tracked me the entire race on his phone and wrote down my pace so I could analyze it afte<span style="color: #674ea7;">r. I think he was almost more excited than I was that I maintained almost a steady pace throughout the entire course. </span></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I really am blessed to have such a strong athletic supporter! </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (sorry I couldn't resist!)</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtYZPBtlbh13dPQ_yQgvdT_LzO4W9JchS2zSFXcPGlBjQYZKhBT6XRdOJh2lHhXmzsjK9GNVCC7ctoXdrTn5bdhbrK3ljRW7AgxW_18QHpQOag1fPjs_8nFjr8uTbT66qjoVfXNApynk/s1600/2014-05-17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtYZPBtlbh13dPQ_yQgvdT_LzO4W9JchS2zSFXcPGlBjQYZKhBT6XRdOJh2lHhXmzsjK9GNVCC7ctoXdrTn5bdhbrK3ljRW7AgxW_18QHpQOag1fPjs_8nFjr8uTbT66qjoVfXNApynk/s1600/2014-05-17.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU15vAnBaeLRUGujoEg48Thge72L1uVARrjOKIjE6cRoMYQdA7SgON0FKdApsDHP16dQ-63h7LAef3zOenez_2KJ_rUMYepK4JSixIZeS4GhupiSht-ULqrogj6vNxQvIWBTL0h3DbSBg/s1600/IMG_7972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU15vAnBaeLRUGujoEg48Thge72L1uVARrjOKIjE6cRoMYQdA7SgON0FKdApsDHP16dQ-63h7LAef3zOenez_2KJ_rUMYepK4JSixIZeS4GhupiSht-ULqrogj6vNxQvIWBTL0h3DbSBg/s1600/IMG_7972.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I could have not done this without Jen. Running those long 20 mile training runs alone would have been no fun! She even shared her training coaches plan with me and we really hit it hard this time. It is truly a blessing to have one of your best friends also be a runner you can train with. She was hoping for a better race, but that dang heat got to everyone this year. She finished strong and with a smile on her face and I am so proud of her.</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Found these local pals at the finish line too!</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I wish I would've lost the sunglasses for these photos. I look like a bug. </span></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52iuFog8-kPWOBiL5Qygty4iLOplVSaTfnJZ5eiM5ZulM_JcMttWhEHtXSq-yzd6qbMZny5y2GnG1lb-CO-sM579RjtQhphITV8ZajO6XdMaHWg2PSGxyffSLP2oc9rwo3RyPW-bJOwc/s1600/Collages176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52iuFog8-kPWOBiL5Qygty4iLOplVSaTfnJZ5eiM5ZulM_JcMttWhEHtXSq-yzd6qbMZny5y2GnG1lb-CO-sM579RjtQhphITV8ZajO6XdMaHWg2PSGxyffSLP2oc9rwo3RyPW-bJOwc/s1600/Collages176.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To say thanks to my boys for coming to support me, we took them to Panda Express after. I really didn't want to walk inside, but I managed. I love this picture of Dave and me. We were two cripples. He didn't feel well and I was beginning to walk like I was 90. The rigamortis was starting to set in.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The shirts were actually pretty cute this year. And they really went all out on the medals. They were extra large. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp74_OUQqRvmVr_GmxcS5ZXMNXnJw7ASADkTotzl68t8nFOx6cseX3m6DqV34130zNzaIWSOW5EcxT0Vez6-Vut4BoqekpbaB2BRC7-By9iHp_-72HavZKHcxKrP_Ieyq15ZzTDeu8Y1Y/s1600/2014-05-16+-+OGDEN+MARATHON+2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp74_OUQqRvmVr_GmxcS5ZXMNXnJw7ASADkTotzl68t8nFOx6cseX3m6DqV34130zNzaIWSOW5EcxT0Vez6-Vut4BoqekpbaB2BRC7-By9iHp_-72HavZKHcxKrP_Ieyq15ZzTDeu8Y1Y/s1600/2014-05-16+-+OGDEN+MARATHON+2014.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can you tell my kitty missed me? Ha! I wish!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You're almost to the finish line of this post! Don't give up now!</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>If you actually read all this, then YOU deserve a medal! Holy cow, that was longer than a marathon!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>WAIT! </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>A few more thoughts... just when you thought you were done...<span style="font-size: small;">(this is the <u>point two</u> of the marathon - just a little bit more.)</span> ☺</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ENJOY THE JOURNEY</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This really is true....</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCb1V6h9OkJiip5aQqjlpcIlaKn8Rc1xS8eUpUmy-Wvh_LWsfVrSImkVFgDT9nqfe0eTYLUlPmGa1JcztUh8MDk17h_OHxZTPVqKkJjj_ozKwBQS3qn2P7nX7NcNxvuj4Mm9ghNSRwv9g/s1600/10320364_775187442532306_5312474380198153068_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCb1V6h9OkJiip5aQqjlpcIlaKn8Rc1xS8eUpUmy-Wvh_LWsfVrSImkVFgDT9nqfe0eTYLUlPmGa1JcztUh8MDk17h_OHxZTPVqKkJjj_ozKwBQS3qn2P7nX7NcNxvuj4Mm9ghNSRwv9g/s1600/10320364_775187442532306_5312474380198153068_n.jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And now I'm too sore to clean it! hah</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEMULtccFbRuCGScVYtR4HZY3Tl-5zdHXcu-TCGL8DgFr-I3X752CEjf_4n5zeknyVbZbXNOAWgEKB-6bHuHHL-Q8ilQyPiBWjX8n-aSoLTiORZB7INLPBISwxm0rKc8tB5JJFi9jK6Q/s1600/10172791_10204011844595918_3535887222269369167_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEMULtccFbRuCGScVYtR4HZY3Tl-5zdHXcu-TCGL8DgFr-I3X752CEjf_4n5zeknyVbZbXNOAWgEKB-6bHuHHL-Q8ilQyPiBWjX8n-aSoLTiORZB7INLPBISwxm0rKc8tB5JJFi9jK6Q/s1600/10172791_10204011844595918_3535887222269369167_n.jpg" height="311" width="320" /></a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You VS You</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuEUd70Nz2U0hB_ZVJyPZvRA2BrnOVqc_8Dk6uh5nuyeVBkDPvpq71l8aXXAskCWGuxCTIcSlMbixMcQCXLlcQMahvnXDViMrnQsf9AgGYwUAWym8cEfawsqP2LMNPkORjxgvziLKojU/s1600/10338764_10152071799731987_2920170285925162503_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuEUd70Nz2U0hB_ZVJyPZvRA2BrnOVqc_8Dk6uh5nuyeVBkDPvpq71l8aXXAskCWGuxCTIcSlMbixMcQCXLlcQMahvnXDViMrnQsf9AgGYwUAWym8cEfawsqP2LMNPkORjxgvziLKojU/s1600/10338764_10152071799731987_2920170285925162503_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>I lost mine about mile 20</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDy-tXFnvcJ-EemNRjijBaqVnD70FqbwqYdoCJm7MQ4Unv3aGJ2_PH2lU0WDDbNlffjwiMGBKHwU47hLX7eNQego-mGxNlKDOqzIOOgViScL2UjiSKPTGWItK4R1toKBC377ITBMHtOok/s1600/10388078_243178882541272_6243538938492817490_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDy-tXFnvcJ-EemNRjijBaqVnD70FqbwqYdoCJm7MQ4Unv3aGJ2_PH2lU0WDDbNlffjwiMGBKHwU47hLX7eNQego-mGxNlKDOqzIOOgViScL2UjiSKPTGWItK4R1toKBC377ITBMHtOok/s1600/10388078_243178882541272_6243538938492817490_n.jpg" height="168" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBOib0OoKLijqiIjSZaQYpIHd90mnMp2EWu0NxxTUdgudKfDC2vVqtCMF6YQ1lnnFeejYS_jzWJPI-ZJIEYACHiIhHUPSmxpH5gyKMWX9hVAPDvC7k3_q2dm7quFNgbN5hBFdtW7QrmU/s1600/1544993_10152015165388030_635983640_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBOib0OoKLijqiIjSZaQYpIHd90mnMp2EWu0NxxTUdgudKfDC2vVqtCMF6YQ1lnnFeejYS_jzWJPI-ZJIEYACHiIhHUPSmxpH5gyKMWX9hVAPDvC7k3_q2dm7quFNgbN5hBFdtW7QrmU/s1600/1544993_10152015165388030_635983640_n.jpg" height="293" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Amen....</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wkla2nudF_s4SfiJ7fE5sj3LlzsW-X_k4KZGEESD7xY9-TNiB_6kCqZNEleE0xJRKZd_wZ7LkSW1v0HMtBCzQCkBLncN8zT8-lyS4cvVlIxkp2DBZjvtd_dVN1e9RNNcXO_D11D6cdM/s1600/10253783_773280492723001_5172026611493654578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wkla2nudF_s4SfiJ7fE5sj3LlzsW-X_k4KZGEESD7xY9-TNiB_6kCqZNEleE0xJRKZd_wZ7LkSW1v0HMtBCzQCkBLncN8zT8-lyS4cvVlIxkp2DBZjvtd_dVN1e9RNNcXO_D11D6cdM/s1600/10253783_773280492723001_5172026611493654578_n.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>And now... </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I could really use a massage...</b></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxRvILEW4NRfbY4L5Q6-hYkEfktSGzNhKNZsnL2Mk3lCwiOoNH-5OJwuaXvtjBJZB57C4hKr73wYQYqHOF6XaMxpwHvR-O1OPbFu19PMpZtmVP2f4P9-NtwbtfMxV7h6wG6mGYBDY_QM/s1600/Kat_Massage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxRvILEW4NRfbY4L5Q6-hYkEfktSGzNhKNZsnL2Mk3lCwiOoNH-5OJwuaXvtjBJZB57C4hKr73wYQYqHOF6XaMxpwHvR-O1OPbFu19PMpZtmVP2f4P9-NtwbtfMxV7h6wG6mGYBDY_QM/s1600/Kat_Massage.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX90eykAU3xJyNYJWYNrXRX668EGpB7hEvlqgBiXsuJNGfL_sLUDjwGSVfLHH3VHDqq2dHpAb2MJXeT89tXoFHmx15J_599by9oBqt7yY_qJmdDpHZiBJ-CE4569i-g6lgbnk-ifKKfKU/s1600/keepcalmmassage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX90eykAU3xJyNYJWYNrXRX668EGpB7hEvlqgBiXsuJNGfL_sLUDjwGSVfLHH3VHDqq2dHpAb2MJXeT89tXoFHmx15J_599by9oBqt7yY_qJmdDpHZiBJ-CE4569i-g6lgbnk-ifKKfKU/s1600/keepcalmmassage.png" height="200" width="171" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>You earned one ↑ for making it through this!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Side note:</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Come back another day and watch this great inspiring video about marathons and the Boston Marathon. If you are a runner find 23 minutes when you can watch it. If you're not a runner, find 23 minutes when you can watch it. It's that good.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://vimeo.com/96226259">BOSTON STILL GOING STRONG</a> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(click to play) </span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I loved this video. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from it:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span> </b></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">"A marathon is more than just a race. To those who dare to embark on this challenge. It's a gift. It's an opportunity to experience all that life has to offer in 26.2 miles. They journey thru excitement, camaraderie, happiness, fear, struggles, danger, tears of both pain and joy. The overwhelming accomplishment -these athletes competing not against each other for glory or fame but against themselves. Forever pushing their limits to find their true potential." </span></span></b></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span> </span></b></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Marathons are a lot like life. In marathons there are good moments and there are terrible moments but all those moments pass and everybody has the same ultimate goal, but our journeys there are so different."</span></span></b></span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll you someone that has overcome adversity." - Lou Holtz</span></span></i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></i> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am happy this is my taper week! But I am also getting very nervous for the marathon! NERVES! My running is limited to a four miler and a three miler this week. But my anxiety is at 26.2 level! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs9FhqDvBf4jyXUnOxB3R3A6bhtiIhnwdQLvTmj56jCrGg4xsThuxigBh9Pitu-FnGKSRxfzo3XPsjayBkG-TU5Xu82mfzrB-wGWrLp3RNODG01f1xRI4G_Wc-pQev5yBr6UfD97BBuY/s1600/Taper.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs9FhqDvBf4jyXUnOxB3R3A6bhtiIhnwdQLvTmj56jCrGg4xsThuxigBh9Pitu-FnGKSRxfzo3XPsjayBkG-TU5Xu82mfzrB-wGWrLp3RNODG01f1xRI4G_Wc-pQev5yBr6UfD97BBuY/s1600/Taper.001.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have to have faith in my training and know I have put in the miles and the time and now I have to trust in it for race day. I am disappointed I didn't work my core harder (or at all) this training because I know how important that is going to be those last 6 miles. But I have to focus on the fact that I can and WILL finish strong no matter what happens on race day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLl0GJZhzXSTArFHHOsb9jGc2AMw1x2zO-w05VLX0cLlGTthqIOa7igtJVEctJIS1zRqFYUPddVKXWF_dF6rjxyJfDJeQJVWU3r-0emvgsIlGzA54rgh3LqM_S4fnPs9JWzQLFNIv4UY/s1600/youve-got-the-crazies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLl0GJZhzXSTArFHHOsb9jGc2AMw1x2zO-w05VLX0cLlGTthqIOa7igtJVEctJIS1zRqFYUPddVKXWF_dF6rjxyJfDJeQJVWU3r-0emvgsIlGzA54rgh3LqM_S4fnPs9JWzQLFNIv4UY/s1600/youve-got-the-crazies.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I am also stressing about the temps. The forecast is now predicting the high to be in the 80's that day. I have to just accept that I can't control the weather and at least it's not going to be a downpour the entire race like last year. Getting hypothermia was not fun. But the heat is also not fun and I do know it WILL be a factor because the hottest temp I have trained in was 62°. And that run was exhausting to me because I was not used to it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaY0wmHEzaP3u15eqz4WQoLvQaf0p0CcF0Hg0PASDs4GMLe-F8dC9LJuojYgI5saNYceSuggIQuoRGhaFQWhsLLEBKGPUlTczIpl56UeThQfO7eCCGmQUOc0MtLfPrOcK58nZEGHNiTE/s1600/screenshot-2014-04-21-13-33-10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaY0wmHEzaP3u15eqz4WQoLvQaf0p0CcF0Hg0PASDs4GMLe-F8dC9LJuojYgI5saNYceSuggIQuoRGhaFQWhsLLEBKGPUlTczIpl56UeThQfO7eCCGmQUOc0MtLfPrOcK58nZEGHNiTE/s1600/screenshot-2014-04-21-13-33-10.png" height="199" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I do fear the heat come race day. I fear a lot of things, but mostly the unknowns. The unknowns of how I will feel, will I be able to maintain my pace, will I fuel properly, will I hydrate properly, will I hit the wall, will I end up with an unexpected injury, will my music be motivating enough, will I be able to push through the pain, will I get sick, will I be able to use my mantra's when I need them, will I even remember those mantras, will I wish I had never signed up, will I have GI issues, will the porta potty lines be too long, will I get enough sleep the night before, will I be able to keep up with my goal pace, will I trip and fall and bleed all over, will I chafe<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (dumb question - I already know the answer to that one is a resounding YES!),</span> will one of my devices batteries die, will I hit the wall, will I forget to take something, will..<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">.</span> will...</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> will?!!!</span> There are so many unknowns and I just have to let them all go and stop the worrying! Ha! Yeah right....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHWDmovu18PKBq0taNC8bX8hw9Y1SLqfaHlT_s6DKbWkZ6GxrtVM4hug-YzEu0zQvPT31-QW5Rz-YMJeCWGleA7OAApYdQo3vm6c4_xyPzpwiayCS82pwYXAP2R1B1wBuQ54lP3sn3uI/s1600/Mantras-1024x521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHWDmovu18PKBq0taNC8bX8hw9Y1SLqfaHlT_s6DKbWkZ6GxrtVM4hug-YzEu0zQvPT31-QW5Rz-YMJeCWGleA7OAApYdQo3vm6c4_xyPzpwiayCS82pwYXAP2R1B1wBuQ54lP3sn3uI/s1600/Mantras-1024x521.jpg" height="162" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh, running is such a mental sport! I hope I am as well trained mentally as I think I am physically. I will know soon enough! This is my third full marathon and I have trained much better for this one than the other two and so I should be going in with a lot more confidence. I think I am, but running a marathon is like having a baby...you just never know what to expect and it's different every time no matter how prepared you are. I wrote a post on that a while ago <a href="http://jodibeacon.blogspot.com/2010/10/why-running-marathon-is-like-having.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. But the crazy thing about running a marathon is that you train HARD for four or five months and it all comes down to one day! ONE day. And on that one day you could wake up not feeling well, or it could be a blizzard or the hottest day of the year so far (as mine is predicted to be!), or you could bonk and have no idea why, or you could end up with an injury you hadn't planned on, so many things can go wrong because it is all focused on that one day. I have to keep telling myself that the odds of having that one day be even close to remotely perfect in every way are pretty slim and so I just need to go with the flow and accept whatever comes my way and just deal with it. I hope my training has helped me to learn that as well. It is what it is and it will be what it will be. Bring it!
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/100/9AB65D3FBBF4764D551319A914FA884B.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" /></a></div>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-57994476548322213502014-05-08T15:49:00.000-06:002014-11-12T15:49:30.266-07:00Thoughtful Thursday Running Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>I will be running my third full marathon in 9 days and so I decided to dedicate my Thoughtful Thursday the past couple of weeks to running quotes in hopes they will keep me inspired and motivated! If you're not a runner, these quotes are still inspiring for life in general. ENJOY!!!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>In anything in life...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmlAG8cG8gezAokSUZropgnI6SgJIrUhhoC-yy4ykeDx0opo_8iGh33W34JX-KSbN0PcQy-YTfvVeCNQG7y1n_-JriCgg4_S1k_onCCfiJAGou-1p5PqwvMKfpLweONSnzHdX_SOYzak/s1600/10253753_603823179725499_5300630749840152107_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmlAG8cG8gezAokSUZropgnI6SgJIrUhhoC-yy4ykeDx0opo_8iGh33W34JX-KSbN0PcQy-YTfvVeCNQG7y1n_-JriCgg4_S1k_onCCfiJAGou-1p5PqwvMKfpLweONSnzHdX_SOYzak/s1600/10253753_603823179725499_5300630749840152107_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I can relate to this...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2q4-SoHJW37kg_88wcvy8I6ZBAs36TJFI_2YmHFOlKJ9dTftOaoQtWAio8XW14NxLkoLWY59fThMuGo9Mtt-Ppc5Jhd9S0LWTuiZEf_p_CucGhRARUtEZaNOs0Q3ka-Y3V1SvaP2bYw/s1600/best-motivational-quotes-for-runners-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2q4-SoHJW37kg_88wcvy8I6ZBAs36TJFI_2YmHFOlKJ9dTftOaoQtWAio8XW14NxLkoLWY59fThMuGo9Mtt-Ppc5Jhd9S0LWTuiZEf_p_CucGhRARUtEZaNOs0Q3ka-Y3V1SvaP2bYw/s1600/best-motivational-quotes-for-runners-2.png" height="186" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Amen</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIsUrRy8pAICXoNvYwqGQZvKYBkUKpwQAqCsxmY4oxDDO1yqg5ZOrxRDojpFRd-yBNfbtF6SPSrRGHSiZxX5li-YaOtdhJMiRuvu2aTU8ZVN5XqSVOHmK6M_2vA11WAFJCmDpVXYWf0Q/s1600/1545559_768553809862336_3494301803994581835_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIsUrRy8pAICXoNvYwqGQZvKYBkUKpwQAqCsxmY4oxDDO1yqg5ZOrxRDojpFRd-yBNfbtF6SPSrRGHSiZxX5li-YaOtdhJMiRuvu2aTU8ZVN5XqSVOHmK6M_2vA11WAFJCmDpVXYWf0Q/s1600/1545559_768553809862336_3494301803994581835_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And sometimes the progress is very small and other times it's huge<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnrOr1e05xNd_2Ee1JRCfMjEyUpjYat0xWjWUdkR41_IkUHwnhsg-_4F_fLLugWQQEXI1ByH_Ousx_ZKpYTnDuB9Aski6VWjh1ZX57TRQZmfXmuRwON_4JgVMDF27bxHBFi5p1tcTN-w/s1600/10297563_606655076108976_2552536992293155777_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnrOr1e05xNd_2Ee1JRCfMjEyUpjYat0xWjWUdkR41_IkUHwnhsg-_4F_fLLugWQQEXI1ByH_Ousx_ZKpYTnDuB9Aski6VWjh1ZX57TRQZmfXmuRwON_4JgVMDF27bxHBFi5p1tcTN-w/s1600/10297563_606655076108976_2552536992293155777_n.jpg" height="320" width="241" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And that can be tough<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysyyOysfmDH9StYW_c2_narvjqujdbu9qhcG7jC6OWCn3-FXhOedcFFPDL6C3GbMXn6f8lSid8_j27UZCmmn6CAoC83P1YAqVgrlJcIcG8UtUD-xcWklHQrh_er6c9eePmT6dim4GDCM/s1600/10338340_766461003404950_1334999993644215686_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysyyOysfmDH9StYW_c2_narvjqujdbu9qhcG7jC6OWCn3-FXhOedcFFPDL6C3GbMXn6f8lSid8_j27UZCmmn6CAoC83P1YAqVgrlJcIcG8UtUD-xcWklHQrh_er6c9eePmT6dim4GDCM/s1600/10338340_766461003404950_1334999993644215686_n.png" height="318" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nothing makes you feel more hardcore than running in a rain storm<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">!</span> ☺</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHBg6USDILky3i3pXG6yVyyF040xUM1fqcMQR07VZpyVCodAPENd34j3ZG1J57osIgh_4Jrq2hX5Ceyf0KBjAdeBZPMqz8GeIrN3jUZFWvZV8qkwnqgad3sl6gRaOanMJHgnrFyDz_PY/s1600/bad-weather-soft-people-300x224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHBg6USDILky3i3pXG6yVyyF040xUM1fqcMQR07VZpyVCodAPENd34j3ZG1J57osIgh_4Jrq2hX5Ceyf0KBjAdeBZPMqz8GeIrN3jUZFWvZV8qkwnqgad3sl6gRaOanMJHgnrFyDz_PY/s1600/bad-weather-soft-people-300x224.jpg" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Yes. Uh-huh. Yep. Totally. Absolutely.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjj34KMFHVTJ53ORzxILNd0zXKQi3KpppzpOuYK6tfx4W9NWJi6ezGY2rd9ZSVogOUfXRnGGKtOqrNiqU1OBiHGl0NvMjKG2FBVgcBe71rYlrpesHAFfAU5i6mrGx3VtGlEEG7ZkbogA/s1600/Ask-yourself-can-I-give-more-best-running-quotes-300x198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjj34KMFHVTJ53ORzxILNd0zXKQi3KpppzpOuYK6tfx4W9NWJi6ezGY2rd9ZSVogOUfXRnGGKtOqrNiqU1OBiHGl0NvMjKG2FBVgcBe71rYlrpesHAFfAU5i6mrGx3VtGlEEG7ZkbogA/s1600/Ask-yourself-can-I-give-more-best-running-quotes-300x198.jpg" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This totally cracked me up because it's so true.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEize4vBqsHzWQKI654oxWa70kPeg5i0V0Zt5OpdpX2PcAtsTew6rlfAj418pUlCo8I2_DSrXeNbPib1LYpL2pEa7g5wQNBUSdYuB4l3ENhJXAadj1UFCTBsPTE6uCumTLAbBBqLoDFogVk/s1600/10288714_10152345596462383_3770244032174050690_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEize4vBqsHzWQKI654oxWa70kPeg5i0V0Zt5OpdpX2PcAtsTew6rlfAj418pUlCo8I2_DSrXeNbPib1LYpL2pEa7g5wQNBUSdYuB4l3ENhJXAadj1UFCTBsPTE6uCumTLAbBBqLoDFogVk/s1600/10288714_10152345596462383_3770244032174050690_n.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And then some more...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwI1_9MgO8EpvUoj_9okHbPDSHrQj9U0Li6oCb2r9NbgmEhWM31XgD1foKUcRyN0cJNEDE6aUapnaAk8gQWTRZBnC40Zr-tolbI3LuSB4IDwAxxhAsuqfpoezXz6SYLkvkEHc1Y-lBTU/s1600/best-motivational-quotes-for-runners-we-all-have-dreams.-But-in-order-to-make-dreams-come-into-reality-it-takes-an-awful-lot-of-determination-dedication-self-discipline-and-effort-300x195.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwI1_9MgO8EpvUoj_9okHbPDSHrQj9U0Li6oCb2r9NbgmEhWM31XgD1foKUcRyN0cJNEDE6aUapnaAk8gQWTRZBnC40Zr-tolbI3LuSB4IDwAxxhAsuqfpoezXz6SYLkvkEHc1Y-lBTU/s1600/best-motivational-quotes-for-runners-we-all-have-dreams.-But-in-order-to-make-dreams-come-into-reality-it-takes-an-awful-lot-of-determination-dedication-self-discipline-and-effort-300x195.png" height="260" width="400" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cupcakes always help. Running helps even more. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X0gOT_RjObatDHRPDxN-h0L73d8fT6sz_wYbf2xg9Y-sU0gejA_V0AI6aAki2yBQPn_gXKQgvTIGHGKpb6wd0Bqscgz-3gV0GqxX2BCrEWu2z3b2x4OOkQsHH0W3tZ4tohEmjLuAVdY/s1600/c-139_06_05_14_17_19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X0gOT_RjObatDHRPDxN-h0L73d8fT6sz_wYbf2xg9Y-sU0gejA_V0AI6aAki2yBQPn_gXKQgvTIGHGKpb6wd0Bqscgz-3gV0GqxX2BCrEWu2z3b2x4OOkQsHH0W3tZ4tohEmjLuAVdY/s1600/c-139_06_05_14_17_19.png" height="242" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Only another runner will get this. haha</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWLWnGBhk-1UQ1WnZTTIEezetrG8CKxrCEC9mh-0afNMrvvW_27FmJVfOUgTXp1bMAXtGhG1CqvxQBRlPun7ZuUEshIoD75TrldMnKx5uR_HncQ9axc0XcUt_RfohP0Yt3b2jukha0s8/s1600/c-189_05_05_14_17_28.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWLWnGBhk-1UQ1WnZTTIEezetrG8CKxrCEC9mh-0afNMrvvW_27FmJVfOUgTXp1bMAXtGhG1CqvxQBRlPun7ZuUEshIoD75TrldMnKx5uR_HncQ9axc0XcUt_RfohP0Yt3b2jukha0s8/s1600/c-189_05_05_14_17_28.png" height="242" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Even impossible says: I'm possible.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3Yr31Z1wHm9H_mEWWsQ6B1_aIhSRhU7MaAMYIEWKYuj8Zl6-9YUY9ZGKZVMEf50-TU90p8iAaxF_WqnjW-ISJzX-OR4AsFRF0GkSMGTqKpfJq9_IJSzuEzwhQAIFEc-RV6YugNAS3po/s1600/Impossible-Quote-inspirational-quote-motivating-300x181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3Yr31Z1wHm9H_mEWWsQ6B1_aIhSRhU7MaAMYIEWKYuj8Zl6-9YUY9ZGKZVMEf50-TU90p8iAaxF_WqnjW-ISJzX-OR4AsFRF0GkSMGTqKpfJq9_IJSzuEzwhQAIFEc-RV6YugNAS3po/s1600/Impossible-Quote-inspirational-quote-motivating-300x181.jpg" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The spirit is stronger and more determined than the body.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwElXR6HkJozExlVp8W3jyP-ZQs5R6WbkEoOsoJW4AdJjJUQgNMKcwA0zdV081Ple34Fo6ib0vMWJlvWs4KD2a_bwrwupWoDPnzNYXvan6OEVoqzp6YvCsO9AweoWncE0m4BhNdkiH9lA/s1600/Jim-Noakes-motivational-running-quote-inspiring-best-motivational-running-quotes-of-all-time-for-runners-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwElXR6HkJozExlVp8W3jyP-ZQs5R6WbkEoOsoJW4AdJjJUQgNMKcwA0zdV081Ple34Fo6ib0vMWJlvWs4KD2a_bwrwupWoDPnzNYXvan6OEVoqzp6YvCsO9AweoWncE0m4BhNdkiH9lA/s1600/Jim-Noakes-motivational-running-quote-inspiring-best-motivational-running-quotes-of-all-time-for-runners-300x300.jpg" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Yep</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTAUr5RLe8YZ7h0uPGyOIwvsGgZiZdDL5tqosqIJpePvU2TW5HtsrhS6ntKxUAS65mxaqUkdURGXpDwUbUP5XZZzKLTcmURdz083A-l5H50qpAqe7mcRX6Tc1TZ0FKxwnt25H1e4YE3g/s1600/Miracle-is-that-I-had-the-courage-to-start-motivational-inspriation-quote-300x168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTAUr5RLe8YZ7h0uPGyOIwvsGgZiZdDL5tqosqIJpePvU2TW5HtsrhS6ntKxUAS65mxaqUkdURGXpDwUbUP5XZZzKLTcmURdz083A-l5H50qpAqe7mcRX6Tc1TZ0FKxwnt25H1e4YE3g/s1600/Miracle-is-that-I-had-the-courage-to-start-motivational-inspriation-quote-300x168.jpg" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>But it can sure sting your eyes!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYo7IRfWzE362CgePuNZ6f85KNF4RDyKjZIIztJQKjvk3ocTMeyqNcrLPAi8_TU8Jnv7uW6uimZGLri4OGxtzCEZFnmKl7M3hib5P3Uq3mZlQHhfAVT3NK6qJsd_DaUQcwOrVqkmUp_g/s1600/no-one-ever-drowned-in-sweat-best-motivational-running-quotes-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYo7IRfWzE362CgePuNZ6f85KNF4RDyKjZIIztJQKjvk3ocTMeyqNcrLPAi8_TU8Jnv7uW6uimZGLri4OGxtzCEZFnmKl7M3hib5P3Uq3mZlQHhfAVT3NK6qJsd_DaUQcwOrVqkmUp_g/s1600/no-one-ever-drowned-in-sweat-best-motivational-running-quotes-300x300.jpg" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I better start practicing!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AltIu__sL4wpsyuxEO5S2EyfjEzlgVbtibNMPn6BIihnMZIG-Hq6UWW7CTvS4iWVFyI7ugMYQ6ZQwku15uKeArWPtyj58YO01UfRyvoweQ5ynqNCsPkg9F6ofDy5FBhghci-kwT6lHM/s1600/s5-87_07_05_14_18_19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AltIu__sL4wpsyuxEO5S2EyfjEzlgVbtibNMPn6BIihnMZIG-Hq6UWW7CTvS4iWVFyI7ugMYQ6ZQwku15uKeArWPtyj58YO01UfRyvoweQ5ynqNCsPkg9F6ofDy5FBhghci-kwT6lHM/s1600/s5-87_07_05_14_18_19.png" height="242" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Love...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYrvqlhyExWwiE5ddOAtJk8V7yPOkAGTgTr2j6Tk-8o0eshoSweWoaHcJ87azZ7hmtpWiiL-ha8lHkfbzECLVPtL4XFhw88qH-SbdFecK80u15m7jX1p_EpO4XYB-t3uOuKXnZqn8WGs/s1600/To-give-anything-less-than-you-best-is-to-sacrifice-the-gift-inpirational-running-quotes-motivating-300x211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYrvqlhyExWwiE5ddOAtJk8V7yPOkAGTgTr2j6Tk-8o0eshoSweWoaHcJ87azZ7hmtpWiiL-ha8lHkfbzECLVPtL4XFhw88qH-SbdFecK80u15m7jX1p_EpO4XYB-t3uOuKXnZqn8WGs/s1600/To-give-anything-less-than-you-best-is-to-sacrifice-the-gift-inpirational-running-quotes-motivating-300x211.jpg" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>There really is nothing in the world like the feeling of crossing that finish line after 26.2 miles<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">! </span> Nothing...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DGJCzgYqMPeHiGEfyhM515X-jQMQcnvsdxi7I3IhkYwmilzlBeDHbrSGKtp4N_5YyeExFsQ0G-p2gKn9qoGV_k4gSds5JbLITg4bvv3WjE5vx9sggEu2HLp1Mf0FCOibWhBsUSM2DIc/s1600/there-will-be-days-when-I-dont-know-if-I-can-run-a-marathon-inspirational-running-quote-best-motivational-running-quotes-210x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DGJCzgYqMPeHiGEfyhM515X-jQMQcnvsdxi7I3IhkYwmilzlBeDHbrSGKtp4N_5YyeExFsQ0G-p2gKn9qoGV_k4gSds5JbLITg4bvv3WjE5vx9sggEu2HLp1Mf0FCOibWhBsUSM2DIc/s1600/there-will-be-days-when-I-dont-know-if-I-can-run-a-marathon-inspirational-running-quote-best-motivational-running-quotes-210x300.jpg" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I run for those who can't.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFC9EesjNKkTi_5okOjTWZ8l88cDBaHKDaeqzkYWXSfvZNCL09Vviat2ZtQiWN32nzMXzTB6w__l8JYgLToEWb4S4BUGTILVf1m7_oy0w4nRTpfJnIkeUnEGdjrMALJkeOaE5YRpRysxA/s1600/1012580_762334727150911_5369378478451795165_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFC9EesjNKkTi_5okOjTWZ8l88cDBaHKDaeqzkYWXSfvZNCL09Vviat2ZtQiWN32nzMXzTB6w__l8JYgLToEWb4S4BUGTILVf1m7_oy0w4nRTpfJnIkeUnEGdjrMALJkeOaE5YRpRysxA/s1600/1012580_762334727150911_5369378478451795165_n.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is what running a marathon teaches you about yourself...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_UERWm6ti6dxBwkBX5WzozcAtvSpSw4gdsx0YtQsWMqAMm6AFEyKR6RZHicjmes9hUJo8Zyy8ZkdWlTW3XrW7lzamtkendMQuhmSdKw3_bq24Yfn3JnE70PEqIqPJOSvIMRjipUfWII/s1600/262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_UERWm6ti6dxBwkBX5WzozcAtvSpSw4gdsx0YtQsWMqAMm6AFEyKR6RZHicjmes9hUJo8Zyy8ZkdWlTW3XrW7lzamtkendMQuhmSdKw3_bq24Yfn3JnE70PEqIqPJOSvIMRjipUfWII/s1600/262.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />Same quote, but I like it so much I thought it needed to be repeated. And the scenery was better. ☺</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjPEZlxas-oVNLFS4XyLfHxpoHyUXsYCTXNvJFrm3R5smfOncMaGZ8vVklCKbVoPRHCWCAENX8m1IP1QjHzYBpBwK_itEvsY1i_jLNLuFACut6PefDWQ2rJ86bVXwj_dAcU2BazJWI64/s1600/5fd3d2aee3c97a7f025ae950ee506018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjPEZlxas-oVNLFS4XyLfHxpoHyUXsYCTXNvJFrm3R5smfOncMaGZ8vVklCKbVoPRHCWCAENX8m1IP1QjHzYBpBwK_itEvsY1i_jLNLuFACut6PefDWQ2rJ86bVXwj_dAcU2BazJWI64/s1600/5fd3d2aee3c97a7f025ae950ee506018.jpg" height="250" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />A good reason to run<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS04IFUTV4rRP4w1cEUTDSMY7yFsVXzbJ8swjZC0Oa2CAOTwlmcYITbWAjrnOv-pY_ITmrvtrUXqkMjnnaxSvymg1gfMOztwDBsW1iwybi1nY7kgtnRe34IA0LJfkgt2vkpuG8QCD-0no/s1600/1512286_763071493743901_5399460632442233940_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS04IFUTV4rRP4w1cEUTDSMY7yFsVXzbJ8swjZC0Oa2CAOTwlmcYITbWAjrnOv-pY_ITmrvtrUXqkMjnnaxSvymg1gfMOztwDBsW1iwybi1nY7kgtnRe34IA0LJfkgt2vkpuG8QCD-0no/s1600/1512286_763071493743901_5399460632442233940_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Love this...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPLmaBBmymgYFuslR1I5Pg-Wxp4KU1vLSZccqSpXmmzX67lsQnQLrMpjX1JarvW4XO2XVp-6GxLdBEMA5nm51WXUssPB-yAj4cBK028pFBCirlW3DAEXM7pyJ7cxKcFRzed5gxHwhIMM/s1600/1510617_765727213478329_8232726460118553195_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPLmaBBmymgYFuslR1I5Pg-Wxp4KU1vLSZccqSpXmmzX67lsQnQLrMpjX1JarvW4XO2XVp-6GxLdBEMA5nm51WXUssPB-yAj4cBK028pFBCirlW3DAEXM7pyJ7cxKcFRzed5gxHwhIMM/s1600/1510617_765727213478329_8232726460118553195_n.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />Oh my gosh, I would love this!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPQniFMgz2fXOt5_CQjctJvqtJJBLLSTcVeoeF8pM4vcWdDc2bz9sqDh7OdYeQBEd_vj6CxuPyHL23VnoZX2j3OzH8RosRE9JT-UKi8NqEsj61aJWj2pEo1TVjCzLVHgCnlJXVznvOpY/s1600/10153044_764257283625322_4242937962838693512_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPQniFMgz2fXOt5_CQjctJvqtJJBLLSTcVeoeF8pM4vcWdDc2bz9sqDh7OdYeQBEd_vj6CxuPyHL23VnoZX2j3OzH8RosRE9JT-UKi8NqEsj61aJWj2pEo1TVjCzLVHgCnlJXVznvOpY/s1600/10153044_764257283625322_4242937962838693512_n.jpg" height="183" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Positive thinking!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OXyh4pzs4DPzcahmAq8V6ktBqjr4OdgDV4xvQUir0_OF8kLIRT3prInaju8nwG1TqX2_MtwlhqBvJYRe7EfYWBC_4OwSmKR5ESKRIithcGtbV3L1uptrp35bEif293oKVPWQiw6Eg34/s1600/10155570_711302765579261_1575784240249897682_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OXyh4pzs4DPzcahmAq8V6ktBqjr4OdgDV4xvQUir0_OF8kLIRT3prInaju8nwG1TqX2_MtwlhqBvJYRe7EfYWBC_4OwSmKR5ESKRIithcGtbV3L1uptrp35bEif293oKVPWQiw6Eg34/s1600/10155570_711302765579261_1575784240249897682_n.png" height="242" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Especially the porta potty one....</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8Wp2grcSeY6Lw3TzpyuH7lodLWovuc4VwtMK9ZdfqMIPUEE-ef7-YRqn4JdnfaI54HaF_hLXuQCeKT3ev2Nwp3jPRyXnTMTgl6dYF0okcE_kZy5pbj5l43S3blz93bZvK0-_5tpHdro/s1600/10169359_712880395421498_6827825071167738370_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8Wp2grcSeY6Lw3TzpyuH7lodLWovuc4VwtMK9ZdfqMIPUEE-ef7-YRqn4JdnfaI54HaF_hLXuQCeKT3ev2Nwp3jPRyXnTMTgl6dYF0okcE_kZy5pbj5l43S3blz93bZvK0-_5tpHdro/s1600/10169359_712880395421498_6827825071167738370_n.png" height="242" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hahahahaha....</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_a8jcwqWl7p4x9iv9b5NfxHQ8oymFdJGLAKJrVgUPsuFLj3NmNCW_fgh_hyphenhyphennuEmXzULitTmF2w3ZvwncDrhCMkcvEFugDEFRviV3hAVzhzypLKx0Ttc1JmJrT-75k1cP-RG9dTWdhq8/s1600/10170813_764540650263652_8806794196137803817_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_a8jcwqWl7p4x9iv9b5NfxHQ8oymFdJGLAKJrVgUPsuFLj3NmNCW_fgh_hyphenhyphennuEmXzULitTmF2w3ZvwncDrhCMkcvEFugDEFRviV3hAVzhzypLKx0Ttc1JmJrT-75k1cP-RG9dTWdhq8/s1600/10170813_764540650263652_8806794196137803817_n.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What a dream that would be.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8MQO04uzarPuiNP1gukIpziq_pXcl6WeYjnCjA7Omv6L7y_00rI3bPROncJFUPmgBGjDCytsOgh9g-AJPVDbxmPBFqKbdCgi379LCqk08jiqI5rmchus6_kggkNNUTqQ98U5LKNsplc/s1600/10257685_10154138308705192_4606639921648852747_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8MQO04uzarPuiNP1gukIpziq_pXcl6WeYjnCjA7Omv6L7y_00rI3bPROncJFUPmgBGjDCytsOgh9g-AJPVDbxmPBFqKbdCgi379LCqk08jiqI5rmchus6_kggkNNUTqQ98U5LKNsplc/s1600/10257685_10154138308705192_4606639921648852747_n.jpg" height="320" width="300" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And</span> you always feel better after...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmSqolBb3By6NSoZQDYBo_rHrWgWC8Ab8ypCLVlG4mLVBgUT62rS65wQ3tMLBbfJ9N0QwggWUlwf4CQF5-YG2BBv2xMSSTI3HE_ZNx7nvJ590mxCdGreih7O216rInVE4jiIcUsQnnB4/s1600/10273439_763436200374097_3616303457050349200_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmSqolBb3By6NSoZQDYBo_rHrWgWC8Ab8ypCLVlG4mLVBgUT62rS65wQ3tMLBbfJ9N0QwggWUlwf4CQF5-YG2BBv2xMSSTI3HE_ZNx7nvJ590mxCdGreih7O216rInVE4jiIcUsQnnB4/s1600/10273439_763436200374097_3616303457050349200_n.jpg" height="297" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And of course runners are never stupid... ☺</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHgg6M2IuHNSxLGHYx3tvvB2ZBc7_CMRRQoNm9ez5TLN90LOdRZ4s2mgo3P9M2wy7HxVtV5DM2J1gg1yP6biH-3wrteAsgKlJTiwdHNR30187gMZp8HZVr0c47Z2nk27-H76VuTWD5dA/s1600/c-158_27_04_14_13_01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHgg6M2IuHNSxLGHYx3tvvB2ZBc7_CMRRQoNm9ez5TLN90LOdRZ4s2mgo3P9M2wy7HxVtV5DM2J1gg1yP6biH-3wrteAsgKlJTiwdHNR30187gMZp8HZVr0c47Z2nk27-H76VuTWD5dA/s1600/c-158_27_04_14_13_01.png" height="242" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">☺</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueDofcJNG0iAyAzv6LPkFYaM5oO0vX-Q00tbRrUJ2Wh_TABAZiZ9PJ2jfluImGxVveeq2inZtbrRARBiYF2OlHbrihYj63fJfqd6VJ51X0MDt-E4NwZE61gInMP1uJAT4yEL4IoCPzMs/s1600/c-172_27_04_14_20_18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueDofcJNG0iAyAzv6LPkFYaM5oO0vX-Q00tbRrUJ2Wh_TABAZiZ9PJ2jfluImGxVveeq2inZtbrRARBiYF2OlHbrihYj63fJfqd6VJ51X0MDt-E4NwZE61gInMP1uJAT4yEL4IoCPzMs/s1600/c-172_27_04_14_20_18.png" height="242" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We pay to experience pain...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_32OOfdJHRs2HdaJS19B0dkRPICqozqJsdFaLGocEmO0PfJ2ESrvFsno7d7zkoEzr8DbsGf4pnLiMH-8Xm59OlqXCwcMHrkCRb42osRtHAAHFBDf9CSYmnXsNLfAllsr9T6r9Mhin50/s1600/c-176_27_04_14_15_48.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_32OOfdJHRs2HdaJS19B0dkRPICqozqJsdFaLGocEmO0PfJ2ESrvFsno7d7zkoEzr8DbsGf4pnLiMH-8Xm59OlqXCwcMHrkCRb42osRtHAAHFBDf9CSYmnXsNLfAllsr9T6r9Mhin50/s1600/c-176_27_04_14_15_48.png" height="242" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Last but not least...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THIS IS SO TRUE! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>There is nothing like watching a marathon or even just standing at the finish line to become so inspired and amazed at the human spirit<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">!</span> </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dglbOpXg_DjJLU3t7uNgouvIFBUJlP7qLU7w-ar7I0jURUfX8tV5vYAgU2GpAolrkAhe8TM4sGCENmAA1-iopnJWUrNa169-_maQMMS1FrFjfd2AK1bci3-fd7XeK79ZRyfcS5vOTVs/s1600/losing+faith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dglbOpXg_DjJLU3t7uNgouvIFBUJlP7qLU7w-ar7I0jURUfX8tV5vYAgU2GpAolrkAhe8TM4sGCENmAA1-iopnJWUrNa169-_maQMMS1FrFjfd2AK1bci3-fd7XeK79ZRyfcS5vOTVs/s1600/losing+faith.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-72709768080109875742014-04-23T15:47:00.000-06:002014-11-12T15:47:56.450-07:00Salt Lake Marathon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMH1WXbCVAjsw9fMrpj5R635xdo1VUqyWRNb6O4b8ijug2YsCtA4agZf9hE_5Rfpv5-KCnQwHX8WBcytlfl3XVuo3bekLg71mbuzX5bkGAg_WoSWJmX2GivVPeB8BzKFa2uN9C-7umsa4/s1600/IMG_7549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMH1WXbCVAjsw9fMrpj5R635xdo1VUqyWRNb6O4b8ijug2YsCtA4agZf9hE_5Rfpv5-KCnQwHX8WBcytlfl3XVuo3bekLg71mbuzX5bkGAg_WoSWJmX2GivVPeB8BzKFa2uN9C-7umsa4/s1600/IMG_7549.JPG" height="200" width="148" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVG4ksoMVhJqrA1Ey_Jh-lPJrq6iT0wfPRrvvA98lQCfR7-uY35bUIC3tnxR4XNXx_t7nfdPCu-QkgK_NdFlYOFX68GMGvhT2o83sxeAZJBdcU1AEdl8LkbcKImBC2t5j1AszwVvQtCU/s1600/IMG_7551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVG4ksoMVhJqrA1Ey_Jh-lPJrq6iT0wfPRrvvA98lQCfR7-uY35bUIC3tnxR4XNXx_t7nfdPCu-QkgK_NdFlYOFX68GMGvhT2o83sxeAZJBdcU1AEdl8LkbcKImBC2t5j1AszwVvQtCU/s1600/IMG_7551.JPG" height="200" width="148" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last Sunday I had a friend ask me if I would be interested in a free bib to run the Salt Lake Half Marathon. He said he had a nephew that couldn't run it and so if I wanted to run it with his bib under his name I could for free. He had me at <span style="font-size: large;"><b>free!</b></span> I like races, but I love FREE races, especially for one that would really just count as a training run for me. So I jumped at the chance not really sure if he would come through with it or not. But his nephew text me and we set up a place to meet in Bountiful so he could give me his race packet. Dave and I drove down to get it and discovered that there had been a miscommunication and he was planning on me paying full price for it. That's never fun news to get especially after spending another $50 on gas to get there and back. It was an awkward situation and I ended paying him $50 (plus a pie I took to give him to thank him when I<i> thought</i> it was free). He paid $60 for it, but I wouldn't be running under my own name or get my size of shirt. Most runners either give their bibs away or ask about half price. I felt like I got ripped off. If I had been on the ball I would have told him that I changed my mind about running it because I thought it was free. I was not happy about the whole situation, but I did learn a valuable lesson about communication. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Saturday morning, I got up at the crack of insanity (3:45 a.m.) to get down to SLC and to park and try and jump on Trax in order to get to the starting line. The race had over 8000 runners and so I was a little nervous about finding a place to park. But it was a piece of cake. The ride on Trax to the start was even fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_eUETigYQ8NnA8vRgh7ZM1WUudTSLW_g912duDXvCCGkU3nDCy3WfSZ8bfg1FZYb8eFaF_0Cm2KGVDyn_AiTCRo1QJqpYlMEPirY2HhCvGGG6ENku9sUS8SFJBEj_ow_CKDfFbfqfSA/s1600/2014-04-19+SLC+Marathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_eUETigYQ8NnA8vRgh7ZM1WUudTSLW_g912duDXvCCGkU3nDCy3WfSZ8bfg1FZYb8eFaF_0Cm2KGVDyn_AiTCRo1QJqpYlMEPirY2HhCvGGG6ENku9sUS8SFJBEj_ow_CKDfFbfqfSA/s1600/2014-04-19+SLC+Marathon.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once I got off Trax, it was still dark and the view was gorgeous! As I headed straight to the porta potties (of course!), someone yelled out my name. I turned and it was my friend Rendy. I know her best as runrunren from Instagram. We also pace together with the American Flyers. I was SO happy she spotted me because it was so nice to have someone to hang out with before the start. She was also running the half. She was the only fellow runner I saw all day. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGLToxNN2Y5zkqQTjY7nsrJMsrVDX2i5g4vhd77VAwapY3cqGakW6wVzyeLfGsD9hyPIRlg2oBLYGE-9hzDFmwGONsQebQOWfqawyuOAfHCq3yodUQM0Qwnhcte0FXl0HSyBTDKdb1AE/s1600/IMG_7466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGLToxNN2Y5zkqQTjY7nsrJMsrVDX2i5g4vhd77VAwapY3cqGakW6wVzyeLfGsD9hyPIRlg2oBLYGE-9hzDFmwGONsQebQOWfqawyuOAfHCq3yodUQM0Qwnhcte0FXl0HSyBTDKdb1AE/s1600/IMG_7466.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The before race photo with traditional backdrop and photo bomber! This is my favorite! haha</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The start of this race was so exciting! They had VERY loud music playing and a couple radio DJ's getting us hyped and excited. We were lined up to start and everyone had their hands on their Garmin's ready to start but then suddenly they said we had to wait because Trax just stopped with a few hundred more runners on it! I was happy to wait for them, because I have been one of those that arrived late to the start (at no fault of my own) at another race and they didn't wait. At the Provo Halloween Half this year, I was on one of three buses that arrived late and as we were pulling in we heard the gun go off and watched the start of the race while sitting on the bus. Never a fun thing. So I was happy to wait for them.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSaGOclr5P21gpllggGnS5vhVW7QnWX6m06dKpZScGVx9IeLpdkhErPeK4Epche0fr4yvmhlKUM-WcwnAd4etFfX7oytQzpmUssKhf2EX9SfLK7KbjYVHtZKnJFhI4kjjaMRpWFP_Q1w/s1600/2014-04-19+SLC+Marathon5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSaGOclr5P21gpllggGnS5vhVW7QnWX6m06dKpZScGVx9IeLpdkhErPeK4Epche0fr4yvmhlKUM-WcwnAd4etFfX7oytQzpmUssKhf2EX9SfLK7KbjYVHtZKnJFhI4kjjaMRpWFP_Q1w/s1600/2014-04-19+SLC+Marathon5.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was really pumped up and ready to get going! There is just no way to describe the start of a marathon race unless you have experienced it. You are squished in with thousands of other runners who are just as nervous and excited as you, who have trained so hard to be there and the energy in the air is tangible! This one was one of the best as far as getting us excited and ready to run than any I've been to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDbgBP0X3fiHCRZyA6vdhiRQK-RFwqaKICoi3EYI3jlVkgF9S6VJoe0gHvd1owkrjfzAF1IXXAo-aSiThx0SzkKqFF84HBfLL98U6i3K6Qrcrp_guh3B5FibT7dxG4_OmAjSfmXqGLRY/s1600/2014-04-19+SLC+Marathon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDbgBP0X3fiHCRZyA6vdhiRQK-RFwqaKICoi3EYI3jlVkgF9S6VJoe0gHvd1owkrjfzAF1IXXAo-aSiThx0SzkKqFF84HBfLL98U6i3K6Qrcrp_guh3B5FibT7dxG4_OmAjSfmXqGLRY/s1600/2014-04-19+SLC+Marathon1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was excited to run this course. It was my first time running this race. It started up by the U of U under the Olympic Bridge and then went through Federal Heights and then up behind the cemetery through the avenues and then down through Memory Grove which is beautiful. A man and a women were on their bikes in Memory Grove and as I ran past I heard the man say to all the runners, "Do you want to trade?", meaning his bike. We all laughed and then the woman yelled, "Jodi! Go Jodi!". Unfortunately I had NO idea who she was! Luckily she later posted on Facebook who she was. It was my friend Tiffany. But she had on a helmet and sunglasses and her hair pulled back, so I really didn't recognize her. We then ran down past the Eagle Arch by Temple Square and I loved that part. Once again I heard someone yell out my name and cheer me on. I knew that they knew me because my bib had the name Chris Miller on it. But just as before, I had NO idea who it was! I just waved at him and said thanks! Luckily he also messaged me later on Facebook and told me that it was him. </span><br />
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Loved running in downtown SLC</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJvWycm9uCJtaTMWq9PZVoDBteSEvGF7QoE5q2SniztDuvCGrayej1D55ANPrOQbuOIBdufbn-5XPlaM80MmiOZlLTYAzFtZyB4onroNpYa69lpn1Zcmzj-Fytg43m32RHWiLlxGHCfI/s1600/2014-04-19+SLC+Marathon7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJvWycm9uCJtaTMWq9PZVoDBteSEvGF7QoE5q2SniztDuvCGrayej1D55ANPrOQbuOIBdufbn-5XPlaM80MmiOZlLTYAzFtZyB4onroNpYa69lpn1Zcmzj-Fytg43m32RHWiLlxGHCfI/s1600/2014-04-19+SLC+Marathon7.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Memory Grove was a beautiful part of the course as well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONr95icQDfUMh0cc4lPSagAdGtJYx0LKjn_Uu-_gP5Z19yVEgki37icM8xJrkyqNrmmTI826QODpYwBiCowf8zG9Z0V8XEEIm2CfuT2rU2T6mnBmo3cvumbTdCdIKZ4a9W2rK-0BKFho/s1600/1801158_753566751350155_386555130745432779_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONr95icQDfUMh0cc4lPSagAdGtJYx0LKjn_Uu-_gP5Z19yVEgki37icM8xJrkyqNrmmTI826QODpYwBiCowf8zG9Z0V8XEEIm2CfuT2rU2T6mnBmo3cvumbTdCdIKZ4a9W2rK-0BKFho/s1600/1801158_753566751350155_386555130745432779_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you look really close, you can see the runners going right down State Street.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The rest of the race was mostly through neighborhoods until we came to Liberty Park and then ended at Library Square. It was a tough course! More hills than I expected. Everyone that ran it before said that this course is the tougher than before and everyone's time was slower. But, I was just happy I got to have the opportunity to experience it. I felt good most of the way, other than the usual feelings of, "I am dying, when can I be done!?", that run through your head. I really wanted to finish with a sub two even though I had no idea how tough the course would be, but that was my goal. I was happy that I crossed the finish line at 1:57! I stayed with the 3:50 and 3:55 pacers for the full right until we split and the full runners went one way and half runners another way. That made me feel pretty happy that I was able to keep up that pacing group for those 9 (or was it 11?) miles. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6juJ5EnSoKL6Pv6QssvB0ewlJFzO4pqizUqy88khAyEctVV6E2PRmM0GxgP3VWhV8rZAcK8oPpEg-cAJfjvnmLGbVwfQ_7xleB0WQsEBNY0yyPZrMLwjpKZ5mlLQF0Prp1In4HwPVaU/s1600/Collages155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6juJ5EnSoKL6Pv6QssvB0ewlJFzO4pqizUqy88khAyEctVV6E2PRmM0GxgP3VWhV8rZAcK8oPpEg-cAJfjvnmLGbVwfQ_7xleB0WQsEBNY0yyPZrMLwjpKZ5mlLQF0Prp1In4HwPVaU/s1600/Collages155.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Y<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">es these are watermarked. But I don't care because I'm not going to pay $25 for a photo!</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Rendy (far left in first photo) and I ended up together in this shot! I didn't even know until I saw this photo on the website.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The worst part of the entire race was when I couldn't get my shirt pocket zipper unzipped to get my GU. The pocket was in the back of my shirt and it was stuck! I was about at mile 8 and so I knew I really needed that GU and I had just grabbed some water and since you have to take GU with water, I knew I HAD to get that thing out because the next water station was at least two more miles. I kept trying and trying, but to no avail. And to make it worse, I was going up a HUGE hill! Probably the hardest hill on the course! I was having no luck and so I finally ran over to a spectator and asked her if she could unzip it. She couldn't get it open either! She kept saying, "It's stuck, it's stuck!", as I watched a herd of people continuously pass me! I knew my time was ticking away but she finally got it open and I thanked her as I ran off trying to get the GU down and get up that killer hill. Then just as I finished my GU, I looked down and there was a packet of the exact same kind I just ate laying in the street untouched and unopened. I have to be very careful with which GU I take because many of them give me a really upset stomach. I had tested out the Salted Caramel on a long training run and so I knew it sat well with me. If I had just kept going a little farther, I could have picked that one up off the ground and forgot about my stuck zipper. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNACFIRwfI58f-mPSI3YmQm9n_5AyMT23Mw1uDIwRXve67Jy_ntT5Gohfjjbtnq5tYBhJttkitb1pSQWgXHQ3HI1f7tM7cm9SNH6l5irvtsSCLUuT8ZHwd81g7DvLSRvyRccIr_KPFId8/s1600/GU8HOL-SC-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNACFIRwfI58f-mPSI3YmQm9n_5AyMT23Mw1uDIwRXve67Jy_ntT5Gohfjjbtnq5tYBhJttkitb1pSQWgXHQ3HI1f7tM7cm9SNH6l5irvtsSCLUuT8ZHwd81g7DvLSRvyRccIr_KPFId8/s1600/GU8HOL-SC-1.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This flavor is like having a treat in the middle of a run! It's my favorite! I would do commercials for it! For free! Or for a lifetime supply! ☺</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The weather was the perfect running temperature for a race. It was about 55-60 degrees during the race. It was a little chilly at the start, but once I hit mile 6, I got rid of my jacket. One of the best parts of running a long race has to be the things you see along the way. I saw a couple people watching that were visibly psychotic and a few that looked like they belonged in New York City, but the worst thing I saw were two dead rats in the middle of the road at two different spots. One was enormous and when I saw him, I nearly lost my GU. I was beginning to think I <i>was</i> running in New York. I also was happy that I found a penny and a dime on the course and I even managed to stop and pick them up. Not always an easy task. I hate to stop even for a second when running race pace because my legs start to tighten up and cramp. But I am glad I did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There was also this cute little boy that had a table set up in front of his house with a bowl of jelly beans on the table for the runners. He looked sad that no one was taking any and so as I approached the table I grabbed a handful and told him thanks. I had no intention of eating them because I didn't want to chance upsetting my stomach, but when I opened my hand and looked at them, I had grabbed ALL purple jelly beans and a black one. What are the odds of that? I know maybe that's a little out there, but when you are at a point in a race where you need something, anything, to help you get through the miles, little things like that do amazing things to your mind to help you keep going. I knew it was just a little special gift from heaven sending some encouragement. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The finish was right in the heart of SLC.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8OL7_J407rkoLYGYuzMyBXiiZMr8WQescqpwCOrWt5Y0uezEAbcMnauslEkSfr-MVG1xsW5hN5HuSAaWHuffplk9ZIjPh9U1hForn8WTQQ67C1bnuD6XGXzFiP1DZnblIQrBApvurWc/s1600/Collages154.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8OL7_J407rkoLYGYuzMyBXiiZMr8WQescqpwCOrWt5Y0uezEAbcMnauslEkSfr-MVG1xsW5hN5HuSAaWHuffplk9ZIjPh9U1hForn8WTQQ67C1bnuD6XGXzFiP1DZnblIQrBApvurWc/s1600/Collages154.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Library Square is very pretty, but you never want to see a Bomb Squad van near the finish line! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXRpLaVCv5IZfrNg-TE5983kw5NIHs56f3ghw0tEKTKDMKBDTYP0tgfmwkv3In2DuELZIoQA5h29th2XUvJRkVnlJ2HxRe-K5k0aHV-SdPkuz8sEgS0UXVIXAJVAWFyK6kVuo3ffWjK8/s1600/2014-04-19+SLC+Marathon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXRpLaVCv5IZfrNg-TE5983kw5NIHs56f3ghw0tEKTKDMKBDTYP0tgfmwkv3In2DuELZIoQA5h29th2XUvJRkVnlJ2HxRe-K5k0aHV-SdPkuz8sEgS0UXVIXAJVAWFyK6kVuo3ffWjK8/s1600/2014-04-19+SLC+Marathon2.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My medal, shirt, and bib. Yep, today I was Chris Miller.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHfmRTFUubmXQDXRER1ZEkLS_RuO4AoZD_3DSm66TIebMC6d8hbOKJ2Qtqj06ololBce4WQsD6lvzoF1Y_0SfNGZyLsvq1l6kelPU5aNEVdbsZSdWzFRDXyATonhYQlNkhNNGz94z6dk/s1600/2014-04-19+SLC+Marathon3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHfmRTFUubmXQDXRER1ZEkLS_RuO4AoZD_3DSm66TIebMC6d8hbOKJ2Qtqj06ololBce4WQsD6lvzoF1Y_0SfNGZyLsvq1l6kelPU5aNEVdbsZSdWzFRDXyATonhYQlNkhNNGz94z6dk/s1600/2014-04-19+SLC+Marathon3.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All in all, it was a great experience and a great training run. I finished 14th in my age division out of 106. And 721 out of 3442 overall. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEeGEsPzh79LUrdj95d7G-opnehJK2sJQ8iMVGgRSy1_ji5OCVa3-VXw3dgY8ehYsfWLrTEP1sqQN3fPdrF4ZW12D4qbbb1EGkPu0BuLrLpbTcHtQMNeMrEWmvNwIAt4gvzqligMm5ME/s1600/2014-04-19+SLC+Marathon8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEeGEsPzh79LUrdj95d7G-opnehJK2sJQ8iMVGgRSy1_ji5OCVa3-VXw3dgY8ehYsfWLrTEP1sqQN3fPdrF4ZW12D4qbbb1EGkPu0BuLrLpbTcHtQMNeMrEWmvNwIAt4gvzqligMm5ME/s1600/2014-04-19+SLC+Marathon8.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Only four weeks until my real marathon! That one I will run under my own name! Let's hope I am glad I did. hah </span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/100/9AB65D3FBBF4764D551319A914FA884B.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-68026789113015642842014-04-15T15:46:00.000-06:002014-11-12T15:46:36.524-07:00Boston Strong<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0G79FdvcAyd2WDNdO3FFWBEByAfbmgOb3J9r2SVGvBASLJDulQ5KJN9tkGR_IJg9d1reIeDKb6J8lvcAaS1kHZGRMqJSRSSfehyphenhyphendGTaTjS2eXayrT8gzB8-vitMU7QiLy-eQE46nU08/s1600/BOSTON+IMAGE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0G79FdvcAyd2WDNdO3FFWBEByAfbmgOb3J9r2SVGvBASLJDulQ5KJN9tkGR_IJg9d1reIeDKb6J8lvcAaS1kHZGRMqJSRSSfehyphenhyphendGTaTjS2eXayrT8gzB8-vitMU7QiLy-eQE46nU08/s1600/BOSTON+IMAGE.JPG" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
One year ago today I was on my computer tracking my running friend Mel as she ran the Boston Marathon. I was so excited for her and was so thrilled with how fast she was cruising. It was impressive to watch her - albeit she was just a little icon figure running. But still I knew it was her and that was where she was on the course at the time. After I saw that she had finished, I was so excited for her. I was just tingling inside. I turned off the computer and made a run to the store.<br />
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As I pulled in a parking spot at the store, I heard on my radio about the bombings. My heart literally fell. My first thought was of Mel and if she was okay or not. I immediately sent her a text and just sat in my car waiting and hoping she would respond. Thankfully she did. She said, "Yes, we are okay. We made it through." I was so grateful to hear that. I made a quick dash in the store and then ran home and was glued to the TV for the rest of the day.<br />
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I was sickened by what had happened. And angry. Very angry.<br />
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As a runner and a marathoner, I understand what an accomplishment it is to run a marathon. Running the Boston Marathon is like the Super Bowl for runners. It is the ultimate goal for many runners and some work for years and years to be able to qualify as did Mel. She came so close for so many years and when she finally was able to qualify, it was such a thrill for us all. I was so happy for her. Qualifying is tough. The standards are stringent and for some impossible. And they keep raising the bar and making it even harder to qualify. <br />
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This was Mel's moment. And the moment for all of those thousands of other runners. Their dream come true. And then, just like that, it was taken from them.<br />
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Yes, that angered me. A lot. For me it became a little bit personal because I was in training for the Ogden Marathon at the time. I knew I had to do something. Something to show my support and to help those affected by this tragedy. And more importantly to show that those terrorists would not beat the heart and soul of runners.<br />
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Runners are strong minded. Strong willed. Strong hearted. How else do you think they can run 26.2 miles without quitting? They don't quit. It's not in their makeup. Runners push through even when it hurts <i>(and it always hurts<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">!</span>)</i> and when everything in them wants to quit. <br />
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They picked the wrong group of people to try and make their point.<br />
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Those crazies needed to be shown that their insanity can't stop the running community. But more importantly, those runners that sacrificed so much only to have their dreams shattered, needed to be honored.<br />
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My friend Marci and I decided to put together a race as a way to honor those runners and to earn money for the victims of the tragedy. We enlisted the help of another runner friend named Bob who is well connected to many local runners and has put on several races. The three of us got together and planned the event. It was held last year on April 29th. We held it around the Mantua Dam because the distance is exactly 4.15 miles, which we felt was significant since the bombings happened on 4-15-2013. </div>
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It was a success beyond what we had hoped. We were hoping for 100 people to show up and we ended up with almost 300<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">! </span>We also earned almost $2000 to send to the Boston One Fund that went directly to help the victims. We had amazing community support and we were ecstatic<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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I asked Mel if she would come and speak about her experiences that happened on that tragic day in Boston. She was more than happy to come and share with the community her feelings. We had the support of the Mayors from two cities and everyone was so willing to do what they could to help with this cause.<br />
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I know raising funds for the victims won't erase what happened to those that were directly affected by the bombings, but it was a way for those of us that wanted to show our support to them to give back and to make a statement that we will not be stopped by some senseless act of violence. It is a way to show that our communities are strong, as well as this great nation. Not only Boston Strong, but America Strong. No terrorist can destroy that.<br />
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Now a year later, I feel that it is even more important for us to accept the call from the sweet little boy <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/04/12/loss-and-love/a19pcWz6WF5nNozPPItwYI/story.html" target="_blank">Martin Richard </a>that was so innocently killed in the bombings:<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>No more hurting people. Peace.</b></span></i></div>
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There really are no better words to describe what it means to be Boston Strong. Thank you Martin.<br />
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And thank you community for your amazing support<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/100/9AB65D3FBBF4764D551319A914FA884B.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-18991114503841320312013-09-14T15:43:00.000-06:002014-11-12T15:44:59.039-07:00PACING THE BIG COTTONWOOD HALF MARATHON <div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My friend Jen and I are now official race pacers with the pacing group <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">American Flyer Race Pacers</span>.</span> This was only our second race that we have paced and it was a blast. Not many non-runner peeps understand what a pacer is and so let me explain. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you run a race and want to finish that race at a certain time, you have to pace yourself so you can arrive at the finish line at that time. Pacing yourself can be <span style="font-size: large;">very difficult </span>because most runners like to start out fast as soon as the gun goes off due to the excitement and adrenalin rush that happens when surrounded by so many other runners, which is never a good idea because then you use your energy reserves that you are going to need for the end and the rest of the race. So if you have a goal in mind when you want to finish, you also have to know how fast or slow to take each mile so you will finish at that time. Not an easy thing to do by yourself. THUS...<span style="font-size: large;">race pacers!</span> Race pacers do it for you! <i>(I sound like a commercial!)</i> All you have to do is find the pacer that is pacing at your goal time and stay with them. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pacers carry and hold up a sign that has the finish time on it during the entire race.</span> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following a pacer makes a <span style="font-size: large;">huge difference</span> because the pacers know exactly how much to speed up or slow down according to the particular course. How do we know this? We know because some amazing person made us pace bands that we wear on our wrists so we know exactly how to balance the course with the pace. And of course we have our Garmins that also help us keep the pace we know we need to sustain to get to the finish at that exact time. But, that is not all. Pacers also have to help the runners that are pacing with them when it gets hard and they want to slow down. A big part of our job is to <span style="font-size: large;">motivate and encourage </span>the runners to keep going. We are just learning this part of the job, because just trying to stay on pace for 13 miles<i> </i>or more<i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">(our first race was a 30K which is almost 19 miles)</span> </span></i>is pretty stressful in and of itself! </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It is stressful but it makes the miles go fast...okay fast-<i>er</i>. The main drawback of pacing is that you are assigned a certain pace and it is usually slower than the pace you are accustomed to which can be tough. We are not paid for the job, but it all balances out in the end because we don't have to pay a registration fee and we get a <span style="font-size: large;">race shirt AND a finisher's medal </span>and we get to meet a lot of awesome people as we pace. I have loved it! It is rewarding to help someone meet their goal as they cross that finish line!</b></span> </div>
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<b> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here we are at the Race Expo and packet pick up the night before. It looks like we are doing a combination of Tai Chi or imitating Vanna White. Not sure which....</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The expo was at the South Towne Center and they were also having a big RV show. I wondered if by chance my brother would be there since he manages at Camper World (formally Blaine Jensen RV). I called him to see just in case and sure enough he was! Not only that, but my two cute nieces were there working with him! He got us in and we got to visit for a bit! What are the odds we would both end up at the same place on the same night and time? Pretty cool! </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But we had to be on our way to carb load. So we said our goodbyes and bid farewell. </span> </b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went to <span style="font-size: large;">Bucca Di Peppos </span>first where we saw this sign</span></b>. <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> I say first because carb loading is an art and you have to do it right if you don't want to be picked up off the street by a support van during the race. Okay, maybe that is an exaggeration for a half, but not for a full. But even though we were just doing a half we like to carb load like a full. I mean why not? How many opportunities do you get to carb load in life? We sat down and looked at the menu and decided to leave because it was pretty pricey and they only served family style. Sounds like a great way to carb load right? Well, only if you both love the exact same thing on the menu and don't want a variety of carbs. So we left. We went to<span style="font-size: large;"> Rumbi</span> and snarfed down a variety there. <span style="font-size: large;">See's Candy</span> was also next door and so that also helped us make our decision of where to go. Sugar is all about carbs and so we were happy to give See's our business.</b></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe3d__T6tGny_yavXKoHET0G4-Mhm9J4yhV2ik9e1YMIfsIyNmeT9_lMhqdNqfSdm3Uzc4iXm_23lvHbxxczGvkjM7TogAeop9Cs9hN1RRyzOhEMCQOd8MC1blYAECQ9n3smarcuLGR4/s1600/seesss.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe3d__T6tGny_yavXKoHET0G4-Mhm9J4yhV2ik9e1YMIfsIyNmeT9_lMhqdNqfSdm3Uzc4iXm_23lvHbxxczGvkjM7TogAeop9Cs9hN1RRyzOhEMCQOd8MC1blYAECQ9n3smarcuLGR4/s200/seesss.png" height="162" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7Iua8Zn5nycGBBBxKsYmLS03IODLGX9bedMu9QWGzhOWRAYabhRUJaYGjSQTybuEdCcSuOZQK0n1DoDtL5jucwWzFG6gxNSKdpolRMuWPV7oqPSSHVojWiPbOfNgxV-jUUKuT4oNod4/s1600/sees-candy-winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7Iua8Zn5nycGBBBxKsYmLS03IODLGX9bedMu9QWGzhOWRAYabhRUJaYGjSQTybuEdCcSuOZQK0n1DoDtL5jucwWzFG6gxNSKdpolRMuWPV7oqPSSHVojWiPbOfNgxV-jUUKuT4oNod4/s200/sees-candy-winner.jpg" height="135" width="200" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My two faves... Milk Bordeaux and Tipperary!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>We checked into our awesome hotel and were excited our room was the first one around the corner next to the breakfast area, or so we thought until about <span style="font-size: large;">2:30 a.m.</span> when they started serving breakfast for the runners. The place was full of peeps running the race and some of those peeps were crazy enough to be up at 2:30 eating breakfast! Unfortunately they were loud and woke me up. Not good when we didn't get to sleep until about 12:30 a.m. in the first place. Oh well, I can never sleep the night before a big race anyway and besides the alarm was going off at 3:30.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgS5Vh8024-UQ5DGf0uJ3yNneDnULlQYVNUJMhtNZJDUmDLFsuvXwhQESBVC_cISObIHVvcDF1AdUcoKFjrZNmtrProKfusFhc8YaEZN6lIgKaKt4PXJf3C-kxdUhwZ_DqWT617EEGLM/s1600/AlarmClock330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgS5Vh8024-UQ5DGf0uJ3yNneDnULlQYVNUJMhtNZJDUmDLFsuvXwhQESBVC_cISObIHVvcDF1AdUcoKFjrZNmtrProKfusFhc8YaEZN6lIgKaKt4PXJf3C-kxdUhwZ_DqWT617EEGLM/s200/AlarmClock330.jpg" height="140" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was<span style="font-size: large;"> very stressful</span> parking and finding our pacing group to get our sign and pacing shirts among<span style="font-size: large;"> 4000 other runners,</span> but after holding in some choice expletives, we made it!</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsd3zzlFPzW6W5VnNiQv1NBrCSNzYo2LRVioWlXdswkXnK3saZRgLHWaA3JRxKJrl7HqMcueNgUQksjWozMmnklj-RuNpI3lEd6cW0G6weemkhjjC0nN-2DfTASvWIE_5A9sqkyl-iWFA/s1600/Big+Cottonwood+Half+Marathon1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsd3zzlFPzW6W5VnNiQv1NBrCSNzYo2LRVioWlXdswkXnK3saZRgLHWaA3JRxKJrl7HqMcueNgUQksjWozMmnklj-RuNpI3lEd6cW0G6weemkhjjC0nN-2DfTASvWIE_5A9sqkyl-iWFA/s400/Big+Cottonwood+Half+Marathon1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We amazingly found some fellow Brigham-ites among the 4000. Two of them were even on our bus just two seats ahead of us! The beginning of the race looked like some alien planet with everyone in their space blankets! I wish I could have got a better photo. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Click to enlarge or tap if on an ipad)</span> It was a sight! We lined up to <span style="font-size: large;">pace the 2:15 spot. </span> </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq8wTyIAJJj5_b939m5Ds-gGpLw0zVhjIXbzI5P0r9adyCZceSCKTk2Jns4DlgTTWolv6fGzYMPMz4ycVKhSh4Or-w0eAJIssVTvhCbArdI3fmn43VEc0AnQnaWru8oFGtSSlYXwaB2c/s1600/Big+Cottonwood+Half+Marathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq8wTyIAJJj5_b939m5Ds-gGpLw0zVhjIXbzI5P0r9adyCZceSCKTk2Jns4DlgTTWolv6fGzYMPMz4ycVKhSh4Or-w0eAJIssVTvhCbArdI3fmn43VEc0AnQnaWru8oFGtSSlYXwaB2c/s400/Big+Cottonwood+Half+Marathon.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwJV7e5i0xFYWCo7GTPnAREYDup8HB5Q0yu9Cmt3slWpivUeKpM7y5oZXftBUmcXEiTXomoufX-WcIMdqjhh0GZ1FCWoRXaOrjpoNBAoHbeB-6e90F9zT4RFuRScatrXlNspoKQlxjmw/s1600/IMG_7936.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwJV7e5i0xFYWCo7GTPnAREYDup8HB5Q0yu9Cmt3slWpivUeKpM7y5oZXftBUmcXEiTXomoufX-WcIMdqjhh0GZ1FCWoRXaOrjpoNBAoHbeB-6e90F9zT4RFuRScatrXlNspoKQlxjmw/s400/IMG_7936.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>I love the motivational signs along any marathon course. But I love the spectators even more! I was amazed how many people cheered us on as pacers yelling, <span style="font-size: large;">"Go pacers!"</span> It was great!</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha83VUq1ShQUnciXoe8IxjsbtDUJN4e1HuVQ7Aq7ktNH4BW2YWrRpVlmrphcemOIy2KN7AxrTRz62VLtJqk-33q08oyh1PxPJvs4aj1rePxzywuwosOTIy1B4VN6WMeme2hYlQZza5CAk/s1600/IMG_7945.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha83VUq1ShQUnciXoe8IxjsbtDUJN4e1HuVQ7Aq7ktNH4BW2YWrRpVlmrphcemOIy2KN7AxrTRz62VLtJqk-33q08oyh1PxPJvs4aj1rePxzywuwosOTIy1B4VN6WMeme2hYlQZza5CAk/s400/IMG_7945.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>We were right on pace the entire race until we got closer to the finish line and then we were almost a full two minutes ahead! We need more practice! Or better Garmins! But we slowed down and sent our runners ahead to cross the finish line a bit early (that's ALWAYS a good thing!) and stalled until we could cross right at 2:15. </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePyHPxusRq1BzEwY8HPn20MllKsQiEEg4dfDJ21qhyphenhyphenOI3ZJTBUNqRLSjkRpSqxDm46fkPJdHtCMFaxbcn5dnhN2IzZUBXcWOaNQJS06DzCzh1-T5qZhWQ48K5a1-wb6dEs7Upn5nAdhM/s1600/IMG_7944.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePyHPxusRq1BzEwY8HPn20MllKsQiEEg4dfDJ21qhyphenhyphenOI3ZJTBUNqRLSjkRpSqxDm46fkPJdHtCMFaxbcn5dnhN2IzZUBXcWOaNQJS06DzCzh1-T5qZhWQ48K5a1-wb6dEs7Upn5nAdhM/s400/IMG_7944.JPG" height="327" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>We always need a jumping picture with our medals! My mouth is open that wide because I was hoping someone was going to throw me a piece of chocolate. </b></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>This photo has some of the awesome peeps we paced. The top photo has in it two girls from India that stayed with us (or just ahead) and they were amazingly sweet and polite. The bottom right is of Abby and Tracy that stayed with us the entire time. They were great! Bottom left is some of the other pacers. We didn't get photos of our other runners. =(</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru-T5O9C43Arw7mMFGnWEQfSTCDkeu_vUDbpuco2C212PE5py1ZNuNstDEFN7su95lSsICFzqh_BMsUj2lMCmFJTGb1sZJPWJkJqTKuxvIiN-2rMIqkUgKruSl2Lc28HLtKscqDb7gy0/s1600/Big+Cottonwood+Half+Marathon2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru-T5O9C43Arw7mMFGnWEQfSTCDkeu_vUDbpuco2C212PE5py1ZNuNstDEFN7su95lSsICFzqh_BMsUj2lMCmFJTGb1sZJPWJkJqTKuxvIiN-2rMIqkUgKruSl2Lc28HLtKscqDb7gy0/s400/Big+Cottonwood+Half+Marathon2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>With some of Jen's running blog pals that ran the full.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESb1lFvOFMi8eUNPFx8Gv0f5eEtxmYLgf69u0WhpyNsObndE2aow_VZmlm5JU6RmXvTFWAIlUC7edAdaiAms9G3zBxIiKktioVylXDW5DIkb9uQdegxzbxiokVxvz4Z0XSQF46Y9sGYk/s1600/IMG_7943.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESb1lFvOFMi8eUNPFx8Gv0f5eEtxmYLgf69u0WhpyNsObndE2aow_VZmlm5JU6RmXvTFWAIlUC7edAdaiAms9G3zBxIiKktioVylXDW5DIkb9uQdegxzbxiokVxvz4Z0XSQF46Y9sGYk/s320/IMG_7943.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The medals were HUGE! When they say G O B I G! they mean <span style="font-size: x-large;">GO BIG!</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> My favorite part was they had Jimmy Johns subs after for the finishers! They tasted SO delish!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> We had time to head back to the Hyatt (our hotel) to take a quick shower...thank goodness! That would have been a long ride home without a shower! =)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>This ↓ is what happens on only two hours of sleep. I even left off the really good ones! </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IWFflLv-kwRBvAyrzbZc6R8p71XPR4P737yUWSS9wz2RwTFvbGEOhevneu3TkSsVLU1tPu1SlC-8HKwFl10p3VuFrfhxr_YhJLMkwna0ucouGfxMEkymW-zf8tnAvXuFEHwhjZiWMPs/s1600/Big+Cottonwood+Half+Marathon3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IWFflLv-kwRBvAyrzbZc6R8p71XPR4P737yUWSS9wz2RwTFvbGEOhevneu3TkSsVLU1tPu1SlC-8HKwFl10p3VuFrfhxr_YhJLMkwna0ucouGfxMEkymW-zf8tnAvXuFEHwhjZiWMPs/s400/Big+Cottonwood+Half+Marathon3.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">LOVED the shirts! Probably my favorite race shirt EVER!</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdI-bbImBgZquFCDWyFJpz-UEIUjofIYMq9wVqphSnTJO1KEM7QN8BEhbYtLzF4D5oNiaAW58lltertcXh1TqmbAqZUar4nkNPhLFkCommCsuJxm7krqeWw8zw-3XIwhwL1AKIMVCL75A/s1600/IMG_7963.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdI-bbImBgZquFCDWyFJpz-UEIUjofIYMq9wVqphSnTJO1KEM7QN8BEhbYtLzF4D5oNiaAW58lltertcXh1TqmbAqZUar4nkNPhLFkCommCsuJxm7krqeWw8zw-3XIwhwL1AKIMVCL75A/s400/IMG_7963.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Overall great experience! I now have my <span style="font-size: large;">10th half marathon</span> in the books! I planned to sign up for the full next year, but a lot of people that ran it didn't like it at all. Too much downhill followed by too much flat and uphill. So not sure what I'll do now. Maybe I'll pace the half again only at a faster pace hopefully! Whatever I decide, I loved how well organized this race was and the <span style="font-size: large;">BLING</span> was great!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Sidenote:</u></span> This was probably the most exciting marathon for the pacing company so far because one of our pacers was hit by a car while pacing! </b></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The driver was apparently impatient with the all the runners making him wait.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> So he </b></span>went when he shouldn't and he hit the pacer who then landed on the hood of the car. The driver then hit the brakes and the pacer went flying off and onto the road. </b></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> He jumped up, brushed it off and told the driver to call 911 and he would file a report at the finish line! He finished the race on time at his assigned pace! CRAZY! He was okay, but what a dedicated pacer! He took our director's words, "finish the race on time at all costs" to heart! I'm glad it's not a requirement to get hit by a car to be a part of the group, but it does give a whole new meaning to<span style="font-size: large;"> HIT and RU</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">N!</span> </b></span></div>
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<img class="rg_i" data-sz="f" name="0oaajbnod5uHeM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTEJLAvI-xr-mQ_i_E3puRIp2US8eDMfvRfJiGKYdON028YTrgCSQ" style="height: 177px; margin-left: -8px; margin-right: -4px; margin-top: 0px; width: 285px;" />.<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">... literally!</span></span></b></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/100/24F0349EA5D50B5108E2B0E840A938C6.png" style="border: medium none currentcolor;" /></a><br />
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Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-90321724393175055662011-05-25T15:45:00.001-06:002014-11-12T15:13:20.452-07:00All it Takes is All You've Got<b><span style="color: red; font-size: 130%;">Warning:</span> LONG POST!</b> Only for me for historical purposes and future races. <span style="font-size: 85%;">Do not torture yourself by reading it! Unless, of course, you like pain or to hear about other people's</span>. <span style="font-size: 78%;">lol
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</span>If you are a runner then you have to know a little bit about math. <b><span style="color: #cc6600;">Math</span></b> never was my favorite subject, but I did learn a few things. One being that when something is divided by two you get half of what you were dividing. And so I naturally assume that the same principle would <span style="color: #33cc00;"><b>apply to running. </b></span>Mainly that running a half marathon requires only half the training and that you can technically can get prepared for it in<span style="color: #33ccff;"><b> half the time</b></span>. It also stands to reason that it would only take half the mental strength as a full and hopefully be only half as painful.
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: 180%;">Grade: F</span></b>I have run several half marathons and have always really <span style="color: #ffcccc;"><b>enjoyed the distance</b>.</span> To me it really seems like half the pain, half the emotions, half the nerves, half the training, half the recovery, half the mental stability as a full. Maybe even less. I have actually really<span style="color: #3366ff;"><b> loved</b></span> all of my half marathons.
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Until now.
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I signed up to run the <b><span style="color: yellow;">OGDEN MARATHON</span></b> nine months ago, just two weeks after I ran the <b><span style="color: #cc9933;">Top of Utah</span></b> full marathon when I was still in lala land and high on the adrenaline. At the time I had no idea my IT (iliotibial) bands were going to start screaming at me for several months preventing me from running it. I was just<span style="color: #00cccc;"><b> so excited</b></span> to run Ogden! I kept hoping that I would be able to get in the training and they would heal and I could still do it, but in February when I had to start the training, I knew deep down that I should not do the full. My IT bands were feeling much better, but I was also<span style="color: #ff9900;"><b> feeling strongly</b></span> that my body was not up to doing more than one marathon a year. I didn't want to have healed it only to injure it again. I just knew that it wasn't in the cards for May. Those calculations were <span style="font-size: 130%;">100%</span> on.
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<b><span style="font-size: 180%;"><span style="color: red;">Grade: A+</span></span></b>So, I decided I would do the half instead and<span style="color: #cc66cc;"><b> <span style="color: #6600cc;">put my focus</span></b></span> on that. I ran the Ogden half a few years ago and absolutely loved the course and was looking forward to this run for a long time. I was well trained for it and<span style="color: #33cc00;"><b> ready to go</b></span>. The Saturday before, my training schedule called for a<span style="font-size: 130%;"> 12</span> miler and so I followed the plan. At mile <span style="font-size: 130%;">8.5</span> into that run, my knees started to ache and then my left one seriously flared up. My IT band again. Instead of stopping, I was determined to get in those <span style="font-size: 130%;">12 </span>miles and I ran through the pain.<span style="color: #cc9933;"><b> A big no-no.</b></span> But I did the math and decided I could make it <span style="font-size: 130%;">4.5</span> more.
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<b><span style="font-size: 180%;"><span style="color: red;">Grade: F-</span></span></b>In case you didn't catch that, it should say, "I decided I could make it <span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 130%;"><b>3.5</b></span> more." Just testing to see what grade you got in math. =) By mile <span style="font-size: 130%;">10</span> I was seriously limping as I ran. Now that is a pretty sight, let me tell you! At <span style="font-size: 130%;">11.5</span> I was no longer able to run as my knee started to give out on me. I used to be so good at <span style="color: #3366ff;"><b><span style="color: #33cc00;">listening to my body</span> </b></span>and obeying it, but lately I have been more determined to just suck it up and run through the pain. Not smart! All that does is increase the injury. I took it easy the rest of the week, just walking with zero running, rolling it out with my foam roller a lot, and taking Celebrex hoping it would heal by the starting gun. I even started on Glucosamine Chondroitin.
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The marathon was scheduled for the <span style="font-size: 130%;">21st</span> but I also had been invited to go to <span style="color: #cc33cc;"><b>Park City</b></span> with some high school friends for that weekend. I knew I wouldn't get much sleep in Park City, but didn't want to miss it either. I decided to go and just force myself to go to bed at a decent hour on Friday night. I had real <span style="color: #33ccff;"><b>good intentions.</b></span> We left on Thursday morning and had so much fun that we all stayed up until <span style="font-size: 130%;">3:30</span> a.m.! Come Friday night I knew I had to get some sleep or I would never be able to function, let alone run a half marathon. I ended up getting to bed at midnight and back up at <span style="font-size: 130%;">4:00</span> a.m. I never sleep much on race day eve anyway, so I felt I would be okay. Besides once the<span style="color: #33cc00;"><b> adrenaline</b></span> started kicking in, I knew I would be fine.
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I drove to the <span style="color: #ff6666;"><b>starting line</b></span> of the half because of the fact that I was in Park City and also because I was running the half with a full bib because they refuse to let you transfer from race to race. That is one of my <span style="color: #ff9900;"><b>pet peeves</b></span> about marathon's, especially ones that you have to sign up for NINE months in advance! Who knows what is going to happen in that amount of time? When I arrived I saw that I was surrounded by others doing the same thing. I talked to some about getting on the bus and they said the organizers didn't check their bibs. One of them also said they thought our chips would activate and count us for the half. Another said we would be disqualified or be a DNF or DNS. I personally didn't care either way.<span style="color: #ffcccc;"> </span><b><span style="color: #ffcccc;">I just wanted to run it!</span><span style="color: #6633ff;">
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</span></b>I got in line for the<span style="color: #33ccff;"><b> porta potties</b></span> but realized I would never be done before the gun and so I just got in line for the race. I wasn't as nervous as I usually am for some reason. Probably due to lack of sleep and my zombie-ish-ness. The gun went off and I remember thinking as I started to run that I wasn't feeling it today. My lungs were feeling heavy and my calves were cramping from step one. But, about a mile and a half into it, I started to feel good. Real good! That lasted for another half mile when my left IT band started to scream <span style="color: #cc33cc;"><b>LOUDLY!</b></span> I was <b>NOT</b> prepared for that, and I immediately knew from the severity of the pain that came on so strong and fast, that it wasn't going to go away. I was more than discouraged, but, I kept running and turned on my iPod and tried to zone out in the music. <span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>It didn't work.</b></span> I had to stop and stretch and after that I felt a bit better for about <span style="font-size: 130%;">10</span> steps. So I stopped and stretched it again. And again. And again.<i> And</i> again. I could only go about a quarter of a mile each time before it became so bad I didn't know what else to do.
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Mile <span style="color: #33cc00;"><b>TWO!</b></span> Really?
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That has never happened to me in the history of my running career. <span style="color: #33ccff;"><b>NEVER!</b></span> Not even on a training run. I would expect it at mile eight or nine maybe, but not <span style="color: #ff9900;"><b>TWO!</b></span> The stretching just was not helping. About mile four my knee almost gave out on me. I was so frustrated! Every time I stopped to stretch, I watched so many runners pass me by. I hated that! I knew my time was going down the drain and fast. I was really<span style="color: #cc33cc;"><b> hoping for a new PR</b></span> on this race and all those hopes were going down the mountain along with the very full and rapid river. About mile five, it sunk in that I was going to have to finish this race <i>with</i> this pain because it was not going away, or... <span style="color: #ffff66;"><b>quit.</b></span> I knew I couldn't quit, and so once I decided to stick it out, the emotions started to surface. I have never become emotional in a race (with the exception of mile <span style="font-size: 130%;">21-24</span> of my marathon) until now.
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I felt desperate and wasn't sure what to do. All I knew was I didn't want to run another <span style="font-size: 130%;">8</span> miles like that. <span style="color: #33cc00;"><b>Deep down</b></span> I knew I shouldn't be running with that kind of pain because it was probably doing a lot of damage with each step I took. I was really wishing I had a knee band or brace. At the mile six aid station I asked them if it was also a first aid stop. It wasn't, but they had some <span style="color: #cc33cc;"><b>Corban</b></span> and so I had them wrap my knee. They used the entire roll and <i>a lot</i> of my time! As soon as I started to run, I knew it was <span style="color: #ff9900;"><b>not going to be a solution</b></span> but more of a problem. I stopped and unwrapped it as fast as I could and re-wrapped it much different and tighter. I am sure it was a sight seeing me trying to bite half of it off with my teeth in order to shorten it. I started to run and could tell I got it a little too tight. It was seriously cutting off my circulation! I stopped again and re-wrapped it a little looser this time. The third time was <span style="color: yellow;"><b>the charm</b></span>. Even though I knew it was still too tight, I didn't care because it gave me some relief! That pressure was really helping. Either that or it stopped the blood flow so it numbed it! I didn't care. I just was grateful I could run without limping as bad. It was still painful and I didn't push it, but was just <b><span style="color: #ffcccc;">so relieved</span></b> it wasn't getting worse. It gave me hope I could do the next <span style="font-size: 130%;">7 </span>miles.
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Even though I was feeling very disappointed because I was still unable to run at my usual pace, the beauty of that course was <span style="color: #33ccff; font-size: 130%;">spectacular!</span> My surroundings had me in awe. I felt the greatest little moments of pure joy. There is no way unless you have experienced it, to describe the feeling of running in <span style="color: #33cc00;"><b>God's splendor</b></span> with hundreds of other runners all trying to reach the same goal. I have felt a runner's high before, but this was beyond that. I felt so <span style="color: #ff99ff;"><b>ALIVE!</b></span> And I felt so grateful I could <span style="color: #ff6666;"><b>RUN!</b></span> Albeit, like a cripple, but I could still run! The weather was absolutely perfect and I wanted to just burst. The freeing feeling of running was never stronger for me and even though I had to hold back, it felt so good to be running that race. Or maybe it was just the euphoria I was feeling that the pain wasn't as torturous as before. Whatever it was, I soaked it all in and just smiled and <b><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #ff9900; font-size: 100%;">cherished each moment!
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</span><span style="color: red;">THIS IS WHY I RUN!</span></span></b>
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Those moments are<b><span style="color: #ffcccc;"> rare</span></b>, but when they come, all the early morning runs in the snow, rain , hail, and sleet are worth it. All the dogs chasing me with vampire teeth and all the moments of wanting to quit due to pure exhaustion are worth it. All the sore and aching muscles and all the torturous hill runs <span style="color: #33ccff; font-size: 130%;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;">are worth it.</span>
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</b></span>The good news is by mile <span style="font-size: 130%;">9</span> or so, I was feeling like I would be able to go those <span style="font-size: 130%;">3 </span>miles without being lifted off the <span style="color: #33ff33;"><b>street in a stretcher</b></span>. I had run the course before and unlike the Top of Utah Marathon<i> (WHY I did that one for my first marathon I will NEVER know!)</i> I was looking forward to the miles ahead because I knew how gorgeous the scenery was. No hills, to speak of, and lots of great cheering crowds. By mile <span style="font-size: 130%;">11.5,</span> I decided to push it and<b><span style="color: #330099;"> add some speed</span></b>. I knew whatever happened at that point, that I could handle it for a mile and a half. When I got about <span style="font-size: 130%;">50</span> yards from the finish line, I took off on a full boar sprint! I was shocked and amazed that after what a horrible run I had, that I<span style="color: #ffff33; font-size: 130%;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"> finished strong.</span>
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</b></span>I was happy I was done. But not just <i>half </i>as happy as when I finished the <i>full</i>. <span style="color: #ff6666;"><b>Mathematically speaking</b></span>, I would say I was more than half as happy. I won't get into fractions, or I will lose you...no, actually I will lose me. I never did like fractions. But this I do get... a half a marathon may give you as much satisfaction as a full when you give it all you've got. <b><span style="color: white;">And all it takes IS all you've got.</span></b> That I do know. Running is like that. I have learned so much about myself from this simple sport than I could have any other way. I am stronger than I knew. I am weaker than I knew. I am tougher than I knew. I am more emotional than I knew. I am more competitive than I knew. I am more stubborn than I knew. I am more grateful than I knew. I am more determined than I knew. And I am better at math than I knew! <span style="color: #cc66cc;"><b>Who knew? ☺
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</b></span>I crossed the finish line with a time of <span style="font-size: 130%;">2:11!</span> I was <span style="color: #33ffff;"><b>SHOCKED!</b></span> Truly shocked. I had my running app going on my phone, but for some reason my fully charged battery died about mile <span style="font-size: 130%;">6.</span> I had <span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: 130%;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;">ZERO</span> </b></span>idea what my time or pace was. I only knew I watched people pass me instead of me passing them from mile<span style="font-size: 130%;"> 2</span> to mile <span style="font-size: 130%;">11.5</span>. I honestly thought I was going to be around <span style="font-size: 130%;">2:50</span> or even <span style="font-size: 130%;">3:00.</span> I felt like I had run with tar filled legs. My PR for a half is<span style="font-size: 130%;"> 2:02.</span> I was wanting to set a new PR and was hoping for a sub <span style="font-size: 130%;">2:00, </span>(thanks Jen for putting that into my head!) So instead of being happy and ecstatic that I did so well considering the circumstances, I was completely <span style="color: #33ff33;"><b>BUMMED!</b></span> Mainly because I knew that had my<span style="color: #ffccff;"> <b>STUPID IT BAND</b></span> cooperated (at least beyond mile TWO!)<span style="color: #ff9900;"><b> I could have set that PR!</b></span> Sooooooooo frustrating! And I knew that if I had not ran that extra<span style="font-size: 130%;"> 3.5</span> miles on my training run, I probably would have fared much better.
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Luckily Dave was there to<span style="color: #33ccff; font-size: 130%;"><b> <span style="font-size: 100%;">set me straight</span></b></span> and keep me focused on the fact that even with the problems, I still got a great time. I still am having a hard time grasping and knowing that it could have been my best race <span style="color: #ff6666;"><b>EVER</b></span>. Once again... that's running. I have to also focus on the fact that it could have been much worse too. I could have been peeled off the street and carried off in a stretcher and not finished. And the bottom line is, I was still able to feel a love for this sport even though it doesn't always turn out perfectly. It <span style="color: silver;"><b>RARELY </b></span>turns out perfectly. In fact, does anyone know if it has ever turned out perfectly? You have to be a little crazy to be a runner. <span style="color: #ffcc99; font-size: 130%;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;">THAT</span> </b></span>I do know.
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As far as my <span style="color: #33cc00;"><b>official time,</b></span> my name showed up with the <b><span style="color: #ff6666;">FULL</span></b> results with a made up time. They have my time as <span style="font-size: 130%;">4:42</span> for the full. Interesting. I guess they somehow predicted from my <span style="font-size: 130%;">13.1</span> miles what my<span style="font-size: 130%;"> 26.2</span> would be. I guess I'd give them a<b><span style="color: #cc33cc; font-size: 130%;"> A-</span></b> for that. I'm just glad I wasn't a DNS or DNF.
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<b><span style="font-size: 180%;"><span style="color: red;">Final Grade: A+</span>
</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: red;">Citizenship grade: U</span> </span><span style="font-size: 85%;">(for Unsatisfactory IT Band behavior!)</span></b>
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<b><span style="color: #33ccff;">Photos </span></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPvVZctWAbzuRrN-9wxwkm1TyjBofVUblvfQqwKZAXHjW510Wc_eFr0pmVKno4OYXH4wxdaLZPMcUzT1pdvNhbACod12RWbO1qqGXvpnPFHIv6FgxFxoILJyrGjGC20lN8fV0NgHIgbmZ/s1600/2011-05-213.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPvVZctWAbzuRrN-9wxwkm1TyjBofVUblvfQqwKZAXHjW510Wc_eFr0pmVKno4OYXH4wxdaLZPMcUzT1pdvNhbACod12RWbO1qqGXvpnPFHIv6FgxFxoILJyrGjGC20lN8fV0NgHIgbmZ/s400/2011-05-213.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Buses lining up dropping off runners</b>
<b>Bon-fires to keep warm </b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVDM4y2-4h5SKTwMiuP8Dm6FMN565YwKpVhT750ezzxkoEz9XmVdz03GGboTwYUrG5mBrrHlaip518S2KHrvlswhTK69sEwQzAqYPIVxsrxdwMuY1Wq3b0ujkaVnlpRd2Ba0AySAlZUsK/s1600/Collages23.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVDM4y2-4h5SKTwMiuP8Dm6FMN565YwKpVhT750ezzxkoEz9XmVdz03GGboTwYUrG5mBrrHlaip518S2KHrvlswhTK69sEwQzAqYPIVxsrxdwMuY1Wq3b0ujkaVnlpRd2Ba0AySAlZUsK/s400/Collages23.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Waiting for the start</b><br />
<b>The infamous PORTA POTTIES!</b>
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<b>A runner's best friend or worst enemy!</b>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Waiting for the start</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Approximately 2400 runners!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1ZsBI_j44DzwCQPnLXcx2ZtJUqpgI4fiDDpOAc1jQuv7SVRL9bl-K5MY9S9uV-nl_5HiB3Rpv29s2bgpYzwpb2jXFuFQrIvazxxpIiH55UK5KTu-f_EnzBQ2_KnSdhho8gtViG8wVCcj/s1600/2011-05-212.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1ZsBI_j44DzwCQPnLXcx2ZtJUqpgI4fiDDpOAc1jQuv7SVRL9bl-K5MY9S9uV-nl_5HiB3Rpv29s2bgpYzwpb2jXFuFQrIvazxxpIiH55UK5KTu-f_EnzBQ2_KnSdhho8gtViG8wVCcj/s400/2011-05-212.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>There is one huge half mile hill at the beginning and I loved the signs after we climbed the hill.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: 180%;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRwieYkqflOeGxrAHeKLJ1mPndLy8f-K6160lOm0x5MrTudRW9YcktqfJHIL68iLIhbByi_6Wd5uLoU1MnBjRIyvGUC6NMmAFpIsWnxO5HnUK97HYoaqK8gJuCVhEA4sh-Qf2rUOAI2a6/s400/2011-05-214.jpg" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Helicopter shots.</b>
<b><span style="font-size: 180%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Can you see me down there waving?</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br />Soldiers at the aid stations</b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5va65E0kGpEK8-AUK4WqpRbp_1npYteuSAiL6FO6e5J6vtc2xVFQ3-sct_gVZg_QGS_0xe70d7CgRIwgs-seB6d_TuFYMlj1hFkd8uI3Jbr00uaWnS9JAiJnaBogFYjxEc2WV2Wfz7Yzy/s1600/031.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5va65E0kGpEK8-AUK4WqpRbp_1npYteuSAiL6FO6e5J6vtc2xVFQ3-sct_gVZg_QGS_0xe70d7CgRIwgs-seB6d_TuFYMlj1hFkd8uI3Jbr00uaWnS9JAiJnaBogFYjxEc2WV2Wfz7Yzy/s400/031.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Soldiers at the aid stations</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmVypgTl0Vx23tVrG2YKXbhTUGrruSVEKsX0IyquqrL8qTAKJw883UQ7bsdxpXUivneqHBT5FwSW7SFXqno3GT9NyXBQtQM68GG_oj6ZaA85SopakHbBy6O5HG3pasyhkOZTqtYuShmGs/s1600/032.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmVypgTl0Vx23tVrG2YKXbhTUGrruSVEKsX0IyquqrL8qTAKJw883UQ7bsdxpXUivneqHBT5FwSW7SFXqno3GT9NyXBQtQM68GG_oj6ZaA85SopakHbBy6O5HG3pasyhkOZTqtYuShmGs/s400/032.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Runner's stretching... (at least I think that is what the guy on the far right is doing!)</b>
<b>I also spent a lot of time doing this. Not something I am used to.</b>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: 180%;">
</span></b><b> </b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiDnEv268Pk27E-ZxJOBgZWF23UT-1PTHcwj5aEhPMH1_aMVfCbhZg6dTqPLRzxptHlrfpPYPglp3LMXjl69MXLw3RxYDKllvI4z2IRI1qQr6kBCLYUwLYAW8e9scqejPkt0bzvrK2O-9/s1600/033.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiDnEv268Pk27E-ZxJOBgZWF23UT-1PTHcwj5aEhPMH1_aMVfCbhZg6dTqPLRzxptHlrfpPYPglp3LMXjl69MXLw3RxYDKllvI4z2IRI1qQr6kBCLYUwLYAW8e9scqejPkt0bzvrK2O-9/s400/033.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Check out that river and waterfall!</b>
<b>This is the most gorgeous scenery of any run I've experienced. </b>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: 180%;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQMD8C9A9xzmP85J-dBAGpgHJydD9LsoanKVlF8e_Br67rDB2LYb3x_THdl2SXJnMEifXuLh-uyT3ONbjYUFbcH6bJUHgTVfMMx8EyxM8WGGSSkeIMT_Cu6c3JQaIl6odcvqfqgkbEwLa/s1600/marathon5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQMD8C9A9xzmP85J-dBAGpgHJydD9LsoanKVlF8e_Br67rDB2LYb3x_THdl2SXJnMEifXuLh-uyT3ONbjYUFbcH6bJUHgTVfMMx8EyxM8WGGSSkeIMT_Cu6c3JQaIl6odcvqfqgkbEwLa/s400/marathon5.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>You can see why Runner's World ranked this marathon as one of the top 10 in the nation!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: 180%;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskbZWj03bNLB6qBngX4jZjaeWsw-1hhETJc52wwQ394ExhGrq90_uT3Wf6hu4JD2h4cvBjNUV3IKqOYTGs6fG-ARAp8WQnUG2tzlKsMVmc-4LLZuN9REwAs7-r63EZfYzI6wO8PdzEcch/s1600/marathon+10.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskbZWj03bNLB6qBngX4jZjaeWsw-1hhETJc52wwQ394ExhGrq90_uT3Wf6hu4JD2h4cvBjNUV3IKqOYTGs6fG-ARAp8WQnUG2tzlKsMVmc-4LLZuN9REwAs7-r63EZfYzI6wO8PdzEcch/s400/marathon+10.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A7AMZjnqujmymjsk3YqyNuX3yPRdTh_8j9qxThJgciYZJH8KbgXDCy6-1Ty4tw2OpvwtPaRAf6nVSGlGvilDcJmNzf1G5y7c-h-FL2MSvUub-7StWuAwNk2wBicxW_PLu-FTZejByX7H/s1600/2011-05-215.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A7AMZjnqujmymjsk3YqyNuX3yPRdTh_8j9qxThJgciYZJH8KbgXDCy6-1Ty4tw2OpvwtPaRAf6nVSGlGvilDcJmNzf1G5y7c-h-FL2MSvUub-7StWuAwNk2wBicxW_PLu-FTZejByX7H/s400/2011-05-215.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>
</span></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHB0yipfDNNM5ncr46ee-S2Dlc5x_9dzRVqFgOBzeUUmux5-zyzM0SK8PtNzBaRESQDPUr6XB5P_ElUI8ZOoNZdphSU7qg8ABcDdwwreEO16h67Wfbni4_dw46zltCnBPI46iXBCooFWZP/s1600/2011-05-21.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHB0yipfDNNM5ncr46ee-S2Dlc5x_9dzRVqFgOBzeUUmux5-zyzM0SK8PtNzBaRESQDPUr6XB5P_ElUI8ZOoNZdphSU7qg8ABcDdwwreEO16h67Wfbni4_dw46zltCnBPI46iXBCooFWZP/s400/2011-05-21.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Since the run was ran on the day of the RAPTURE, these signs were my
favorite! My phone battery died and so I couldn't get pix of the real
signs. I found these on line so I wouldn't forget. </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ScLkox7BggHvnFWY914ptptKKydSoPcNzLWjPhbAtGFrsmj-ojO1XYHbXw2t00yAiDZsslrqxmSgEIl4jU4KvV7mGDOJuHefjbALQJ0tIDjFyTKVP9JdFUfEJ4zlA_9J6brXZjg8oxIM/s1600/marathon1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ScLkox7BggHvnFWY914ptptKKydSoPcNzLWjPhbAtGFrsmj-ojO1XYHbXw2t00yAiDZsslrqxmSgEIl4jU4KvV7mGDOJuHefjbALQJ0tIDjFyTKVP9JdFUfEJ4zlA_9J6brXZjg8oxIM/s400/marathon1.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The finish line. I'm not in this photo. No one that came to support me actually saw me cross it. =(</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_79AKzp2RO3o5D8_OA_BWvJSZHKU7ekqXjEXAE1Lx_MUOMRMfC5FFOimxWS3wJE7NTdu2uhQ-0i2uEpPnIk4RMHHn2IJObxg2GQeShMfv5yqXYtz6gi0-72av1QmMhY2yorBehPF5thOf/s1600/039.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_79AKzp2RO3o5D8_OA_BWvJSZHKU7ekqXjEXAE1Lx_MUOMRMfC5FFOimxWS3wJE7NTdu2uhQ-0i2uEpPnIk4RMHHn2IJObxg2GQeShMfv5yqXYtz6gi0-72av1QmMhY2yorBehPF5thOf/s400/039.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Happy to be done and still standing!
</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1XigORalSJtcGrLd8bQtnzGMHvgoHUqBZ1e6342xhxL5dfQXpnYabHwY6gQVXrzp7hVKtFRdfCSNl_NZWq7ok3MCytRE_ys4YkeMPdTd8jKV3diD541bmgaiOssDoHoIlnt2ifY1h2RM/s1600/Collages21.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1XigORalSJtcGrLd8bQtnzGMHvgoHUqBZ1e6342xhxL5dfQXpnYabHwY6gQVXrzp7hVKtFRdfCSNl_NZWq7ok3MCytRE_ys4YkeMPdTd8jKV3diD541bmgaiOssDoHoIlnt2ifY1h2RM/s400/Collages21.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My "tourniquet" replaced by ice.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: 180%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hDQw6Je4ObNcFpNqVLcGulcr76bSx-T7LPJ3O4lWYLrNBD5zB6WY4I27H2JzK1e6OZp7Xbqy53_TK-VFepYXpX8NC-CXan5mROUyuUPlEILu5l5IbGCiN8jDTvmX2KIjpWP-RR1Kjldr/s1600/ogden+marathon+20112.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hDQw6Je4ObNcFpNqVLcGulcr76bSx-T7LPJ3O4lWYLrNBD5zB6WY4I27H2JzK1e6OZp7Xbqy53_TK-VFepYXpX8NC-CXan5mROUyuUPlEILu5l5IbGCiN8jDTvmX2KIjpWP-RR1Kjldr/s400/ogden+marathon+20112.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>
</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 180%;"></span></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwucspZmCOyJ82tyVwb-W3TTcO6GHBH9krPsb7v3HfY9ZUshBSnCdqMjojOgFEffIzpRVqQinzhF30t3XN3anh1Yhu33kKNvixKjmW7z543vQSW4OtlI5RjKkUJsjOF5PPYWWE2qu-S0gg/s1600/Collages22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwucspZmCOyJ82tyVwb-W3TTcO6GHBH9krPsb7v3HfY9ZUshBSnCdqMjojOgFEffIzpRVqQinzhF30t3XN3anh1Yhu33kKNvixKjmW7z543vQSW4OtlI5RjKkUJsjOF5PPYWWE2qu-S0gg/s400/Collages22.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My boys and Dave came to support me. My mom did too, but I didn't find her until after and I had no camera.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhONJGcrIAOzjwqhaKtbDN17PEu_YXX2_bzdbeKDF3EVyQzS6fMhZmdhoGwS3P9Ro9BWh6MJrbWlpqFgRnJv8VQB9HBm3o4x30aoGn2Yz3O-PBZjoS26OvvjAIkdQwtgJ6MGoeflYTQyR/s1600/ogden+marathon+2011.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhONJGcrIAOzjwqhaKtbDN17PEu_YXX2_bzdbeKDF3EVyQzS6fMhZmdhoGwS3P9Ro9BWh6MJrbWlpqFgRnJv8VQB9HBm3o4x30aoGn2Yz3O-PBZjoS26OvvjAIkdQwtgJ6MGoeflYTQyR/s400/ogden+marathon+2011.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>I waited for Jen to finish the full. </b><b>My running buds Heather and Jen.</b> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: 180%;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepFe592irZ_D6q62-fBrreNiefV2eUOnwDJH78CptbOnHhNq7eWpUh5TAv5HuXv52fv0RtisJP4bmlfwg8L_5rQAVaLzuxZxVq95k5Xm-Gz_3jtrmk4Stc73z_BGsjwVQ6a6aHQLhvXs4/s1600/ogden+marathon+20115.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepFe592irZ_D6q62-fBrreNiefV2eUOnwDJH78CptbOnHhNq7eWpUh5TAv5HuXv52fv0RtisJP4bmlfwg8L_5rQAVaLzuxZxVq95k5Xm-Gz_3jtrmk4Stc73z_BGsjwVQ6a6aHQLhvXs4/s400/ogden+marathon+20115.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>
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I was honestly afraid after this experience that my knees were going to
prevent me from running any more long distance races again. It's been a
few days now and I am about to sign up for my next half marathon in
July. Did I mention runners are crazy?<br />
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If not, I probably don't have to...<br />
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<strong><em>"Running is a mental sport...and we're all insane!"Learn to run when feeling the pain: then push harder. </em><br />~~~~~</strong><strong><em>"In
running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of
the pack, or last. You can say 'I have finished.' There is a lot of
satisfaction in that"</em>~~~~~</strong><br /><em><strong>Pain is only temporary,<br />Pride is forever,<br />Pain passes with time and Time passes,<br />therefore Pain is just a strain on the Brain without Refrain,<br />and that's why Cross Country runners are Insane.</strong></em> </div>
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<br />Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-83288338042245179962011-05-25T15:39:00.002-06:002011-05-25T15:44:10.939-06:00Things NOT to Do While RunningToday I went on a run. Just like I do nearly every day. Only today was my dreaded HILL DAY. That translates into running UP and DOWN the most torturous hills in my area. I only do them once a week but I never look forward to it.<br /><br />Until today.<br /><br />I knew that today would be the LAST time I had to endure them for a while because the Ogden Marathon <span style="font-size:78%;">(half)</span> I am registered for is in less than two weeks and I am supposed to be tapering! Plus it was RAINING! Always a bonus in my book. I LOVE running in rain.<br /><br />I ran my hills. But instead of going home on my regular route, I decided to take a short cut.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">#1 Thing NOT to do while running.</span></strong><br /><br />Do not take short cuts. At least if your short cut requires climbing up half the mountain (AFTER running hills) and then having to climb over a barbed wire fence in your best running pants. Not a good idea. Um...I will leave it at that.<br /><br />After I crossed the fence and was into the wilderness area, I was grateful it was raining because I knew (or hoped) that meant NO rattlesnakes would be out and the mountain lions would also be in their cozy dens trying to stay out of the rain. So I felt totally safe!<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">#2 Thing NOT to do while running.</span></strong><br /><br />Never feel safe while all alone on a wild mountain. You just never know what things might jump out at you. Things like dogs that are NOT on a leash! But, we will come back to that.<br /><br />In the photo below you can see the orange netting that is a barrier to keep people like me out of the area inside it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1BvmwC9iJi9c0AMA0qfeOZ6WAMw5bIyTzmJblOPXQ3yF5Nr6Mh0wf7Rtr6h1MFO9mvpw19lUXFFA2UgBpyv8hhhe1enX3DTFIgvf6bo1nVqsk0Tmur4HqBFis1HWt6uRws0oYgN04_5D/s1600/IMG_1118.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1BvmwC9iJi9c0AMA0qfeOZ6WAMw5bIyTzmJblOPXQ3yF5Nr6Mh0wf7Rtr6h1MFO9mvpw19lUXFFA2UgBpyv8hhhe1enX3DTFIgvf6bo1nVqsk0Tmur4HqBFis1HWt6uRws0oYgN04_5D/s400/IMG_1118.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Well, I decided to break Rule #1 and take another short cut. It <em>was </em>raining after all. So instead of running all the way around the detour, I decided to cut through where there was an opening in the netting. In order to do this I had to either leap across the ravine or go down it very carefully. I chose the latter.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><strong>#3 Thing NOT to do while running.</strong></span><br /><br />Do not cross wet ravines. Crossing a ravine on a dry day is one thing, but crossing it after it has rained for three days straight is another. The dirt was so soft and unstable that it forced me down without any traction. I flew down that 8 foot ravine and then had to immediately go up the other side. I almost fell back down into the deep rut, but luckily there was a piece of rebar sticking out I grabbed onto. It was all good. Or so I thought.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKCNVpbRLQc_Q-XDBRpCMdHyKkGosBYYUDwejF9zkGS-iKyWAQplet26xNDFH2Zb-K_sZo83_xDhGg7E9eAdjTlXJ_L3UUErmHyj_rLZQuXy6Zp-rdxVSCXSAwyqUR_zTu95EacpdXLQy/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKCNVpbRLQc_Q-XDBRpCMdHyKkGosBYYUDwejF9zkGS-iKyWAQplet26xNDFH2Zb-K_sZo83_xDhGg7E9eAdjTlXJ_L3UUErmHyj_rLZQuXy6Zp-rdxVSCXSAwyqUR_zTu95EacpdXLQy/s400/IMG_1114.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMan3-KUV0UhMiRniRDmcS117btKMvLbJNNMOdmLYhLwiFxJmCYX3CEn4aBrZUq7PUerIQTX2p_P_IdSdT89vCfXRxgb04GeSwqxGQjemePlZOIxgs6V-HSgc22_4ATsFU9zGc_UNyhgf/s1600/IMG_1113.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMan3-KUV0UhMiRniRDmcS117btKMvLbJNNMOdmLYhLwiFxJmCYX3CEn4aBrZUq7PUerIQTX2p_P_IdSdT89vCfXRxgb04GeSwqxGQjemePlZOIxgs6V-HSgc22_4ATsFU9zGc_UNyhgf/s400/IMG_1113.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaueSC743l9lAGllf_-o5VLlcGEkig9PGtLKwzS26g5L-eRkb8iWpUjnOKyYlLcYfxajG3Io3TU1d8OAuvjEzTc4YNrNsvbDP8oNqizefo8pEDdMuAL5IBw1XcW0gEBYDUoQ88F7xUBcBf/s1600/IMG_1135.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My NEW shoes were totally covered in mud! Clear up to my socks. I was not sure how I was going to ever get them clean again. Luckily the construction workers have made a little creek to divert the waterfall water. I used that to wash them. My feet were SOGGY now!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6rWtUDzMCV209Ow-476GeUZnE22T1Wy_XfrrB1vsx3ykbxy7T-BUo9-RYAcJy2YrDtFOKoVEpZ1orMlNbgQeU-yjv3Y80HxQzyJfpAQS9JBHUiIuoCyqs99CPfBxeCSPzMe6iZeKqrSf/s1600/IMG_1123.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6rWtUDzMCV209Ow-476GeUZnE22T1Wy_XfrrB1vsx3ykbxy7T-BUo9-RYAcJy2YrDtFOKoVEpZ1orMlNbgQeU-yjv3Y80HxQzyJfpAQS9JBHUiIuoCyqs99CPfBxeCSPzMe6iZeKqrSf/s400/IMG_1123.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />BUT...<br /><br />All was well. All was well. So off I went. I continued on and saw many beautiful sites of the city below.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB3NibrMAMiZx-d7F31moNPH7DPKQ_jtEfXBRaDOLKvlLUkEY8BAO8hB6Q9OEBLkX_DextGLuTustrf3h8oK3OSBjYg6GcWCdGSlR-YuigMyy_4PHHhYsVxSWYyZKvKBiaDOL6NqCR3Gr/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB3NibrMAMiZx-d7F31moNPH7DPKQ_jtEfXBRaDOLKvlLUkEY8BAO8hB6Q9OEBLkX_DextGLuTustrf3h8oK3OSBjYg6GcWCdGSlR-YuigMyy_4PHHhYsVxSWYyZKvKBiaDOL6NqCR3Gr/s400/IMG_1124.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />You can even the skeleton of the temple steeple in this one if you look close enough. (click to enlarge)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxHGhaV6rhOmJR-08l9s_p2ZdL56pVq6ixoVLbzSgZinFXfsOwPMk3hp35UTUG6HP-_vk7zFF5LdQ389yPynheF61_hoBFUjXCwhZ-1qXjlBh_Rke3NHnWm4weQpIPT8vuO9OqX03kjPJ/s1600/IMG_1128.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxHGhaV6rhOmJR-08l9s_p2ZdL56pVq6ixoVLbzSgZinFXfsOwPMk3hp35UTUG6HP-_vk7zFF5LdQ389yPynheF61_hoBFUjXCwhZ-1qXjlBh_Rke3NHnWm4weQpIPT8vuO9OqX03kjPJ/s400/IMG_1128.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I saw a LOT of puddles and wet roads.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMkBaAVgXHdLnUrtzYFQcX_LXInKDCm9uj-NTB_juDm3FhkTED49sOGCtW8w5cyGsl0hzldqzEg1weEyOjgtFqsLZbl9-igQKp8h5Vb33fu5yYP3KFe_TaC8iqcrO-rxGSSgacdeZY19S/s1600/IMG_1131.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMkBaAVgXHdLnUrtzYFQcX_LXInKDCm9uj-NTB_juDm3FhkTED49sOGCtW8w5cyGsl0hzldqzEg1weEyOjgtFqsLZbl9-igQKp8h5Vb33fu5yYP3KFe_TaC8iqcrO-rxGSSgacdeZY19S/s400/IMG_1131.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And check out this new look-out point the construction workers have made.<br />Now you can find your<em> thrill</em> on <em>Aspen Drive Hill!</em> Crazy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAd4T7L6kTgEH8Pjd5aFsP4TVrooaefj6BWsjrNrUBrltsjOdR96oXg27z-PbvDOXmP03icu7o6n4F_ZEvn6r1x81m8ddVXuiYCtrMjHoGs7YyS9H-KFRFOrhwFJlqjKJQYYp1IZduG2mM/s1600/IMG_1134.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAd4T7L6kTgEH8Pjd5aFsP4TVrooaefj6BWsjrNrUBrltsjOdR96oXg27z-PbvDOXmP03icu7o6n4F_ZEvn6r1x81m8ddVXuiYCtrMjHoGs7YyS9H-KFRFOrhwFJlqjKJQYYp1IZduG2mM/s400/IMG_1134.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Just about then, I reached into my pocket to get my phone. NO PHONE. I had it on my <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>RunKeeper</em></span></strong> app to measure my distance and time but had not noticed I hadn't received any updates on it for a while. The lady's voice that updates is so annoying that I am surprised I didn't notice.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">#4 Thing NOT to do while running.</span></strong><br /><br />Don't ignore the fact that the annoying lady has gone bye-bye.<br /><br />In my panic I began searching everywhere for it and started to back track. I had a feeling it was either in the little stream coming down the mountain where I washed off my shoes OR it was where I had jumped the ravine. I scoured every inch of where I previously stepped on my way back. Nothing in sight. UNTIL....<br /><br />Suddenly I looked up and saw THIS coming rapidly (or more like rabidly!) at me!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7C7POJVkAWGVNZRknDfqhpFwzrSfeRWmNeH22sfOKbEe2mVuIp4-0povlFYlxiREZ69Z7XbYu9bF1SAyxN65h8HYETrUu-ujqUoOElSdLkNRbazrO4So30XQOhbGz9prANOhbsOVSK2R/s1600/Cute_stub-tailed_short-legged_dog_at_LaPlace_Louisiana_shelter.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7C7POJVkAWGVNZRknDfqhpFwzrSfeRWmNeH22sfOKbEe2mVuIp4-0povlFYlxiREZ69Z7XbYu9bF1SAyxN65h8HYETrUu-ujqUoOElSdLkNRbazrO4So30XQOhbGz9prANOhbsOVSK2R/s400/Cute_stub-tailed_short-legged_dog_at_LaPlace_Louisiana_shelter.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Remember rule #2? Never feel safe?<br /><br />Okay I must confess THIS is NOT what I saw.<br /><br />I had lost my phone so how could I have taken a picture?! For all you know THIS is what I saw! I guess you will never know! ☺<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_j6z2Id8mpTGQuQfIdaH9cV4OvNOSgGJcTbTu5S4J3pCRWvFgHVTj2nV3oqCbgzSEC5fXIh4Yq8Y-XXeH1-5SuQTqb4RL_TNsyARVzSiSjfYgNbZovNRUSI-v9sv1eJDXNv6NPVKv3nud/s1600/mountain-lion-running-towards-camera.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605201315581528242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_j6z2Id8mpTGQuQfIdaH9cV4OvNOSgGJcTbTu5S4J3pCRWvFgHVTj2nV3oqCbgzSEC5fXIh4Yq8Y-XXeH1-5SuQTqb4RL_TNsyARVzSiSjfYgNbZovNRUSI-v9sv1eJDXNv6NPVKv3nud/s400/mountain-lion-running-towards-camera.jpg" /></a> BUT it was something like this only <strong>MUCH MUCH</strong> meaner and more <strong>FEROCIOUS</strong> looking with very cloudy and penetrating eyes that were looking right at my throat! <span style="font-size:78%;">It looked like a mini German shepherd only with a Doberman's face.<br /><br /></span>I stopped dead in my tracks hoping I could buy some time while the owner called him off. The owner called him. But NOT off! He just called his name as if he were running after a ball. I began to panic as I saw him coming faster and getting more aggressive. The owner just quietly called his name again but it was too late. He was ALL over me! Which brings me to the:<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">#5 Thing NOT to while running.</span></strong><br /><br />Do NOT forget your Pepper Spray! I wished I'd had it with me. I would have ripped it out and sprayed it...<br /><br /><strong>...AT THE OWNER! </strong><br /><br />He should have had that mutt on a leash even IF they were on the mountain. There are always runners and hikers up there. Lucky for me, the dog was not vicious once he attacked me. In fact, he liked me. And of course, I liked him too even if he was turning my solid color pants and jacket in a print. Dog-paw print. I can't help but like dogs. It's the owners I have issues with!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABj5NV8OWpyVCR2N_SsqCWkTGoR9OiYzrAx1tQnsZrV9YWETN0xCU46McTJn9zED28GqkKAtMN3ri0jjUfl3f-QIbiHJM1kULSJUMzAokmRDvy-idDmTzoTg5TjeNXAvaXV0Uhyphenhyphen0NBYQq/s1600/IMG_1121.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABj5NV8OWpyVCR2N_SsqCWkTGoR9OiYzrAx1tQnsZrV9YWETN0xCU46McTJn9zED28GqkKAtMN3ri0jjUfl3f-QIbiHJM1kULSJUMzAokmRDvy-idDmTzoTg5TjeNXAvaXV0Uhyphenhyphen0NBYQq/s400/IMG_1121.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFai_wpZZ7mwkHNxNAiBuZjwVSebbePwZmTNl7bJmBJ_VCo5E7Cc2FutdjUOx-KpJrvIvKWJtuDCrifmRRxGcHt4Pgb9l-844t-iRiNDFhDXBEWK1_6XUFo1Hgjq9RqTh8j20zNZGXAeO/s1600/IMG_1117.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFai_wpZZ7mwkHNxNAiBuZjwVSebbePwZmTNl7bJmBJ_VCo5E7Cc2FutdjUOx-KpJrvIvKWJtuDCrifmRRxGcHt4Pgb9l-844t-iRiNDFhDXBEWK1_6XUFo1Hgjq9RqTh8j20zNZGXAeO/s400/IMG_1117.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">I was definitely covered with his muddy paw prints! And he just kept jumping on me! Again and again and again and the owner didn't take control of him. I could NOT believe it! He even went and got his paws in the creek and I just knew he was going to jump on me again but now with those wet little paws, but thankfully some kind of divine intervention occurred and he took off. Whew. Even though I<strong> LOVE</strong> dogs, I am sure if he had come at me with those very wet muddy paws, I would have picked up a rock and threw it by this point! Of course, once again, I would have aimed it at the owner!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9haanGzbjeOpHzsQU6vGBvTv36BOqoZIOY3H15itHTMQuN4k6iKzJBcNhqmLYG37n0zM2L2pJ2vC0r1oo3W0tlX_YEcEgyqIHw91cb0AaYswjeZjHx-DnSvOCkc83n3IrIfpv8hf-KE5/s1600/IMG_1133.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9haanGzbjeOpHzsQU6vGBvTv36BOqoZIOY3H15itHTMQuN4k6iKzJBcNhqmLYG37n0zM2L2pJ2vC0r1oo3W0tlX_YEcEgyqIHw91cb0AaYswjeZjHx-DnSvOCkc83n3IrIfpv8hf-KE5/s400/IMG_1133.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Once they took off, I checked everywhere near the little creek for my phone, but to no avail. I kept running back to the ravine. I looked closely but I couldn't see anything. I kept checking and kept praying that I would find it when suddenly I saw a teeny tiny spot of purple showing through the dirt. Could it be?<strong> YES IT WAS!</strong> My phone! Nearly completely buried in the dirt, but right where I had jumped across.<br /><br />It was in that hole you can see.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8MQVPiNpFnhHKT9iJzJYngRp2oXqMpJPMjWCrYXzGEJTnjDfXZ8GyZ7pnkkegFOeKsauLEoMRpZED_BICzfaOiEf4eAYZ3hSCgUspAULxX0cZxT1O_ZDZzryyoifr08K6NWMoMX-KJhR/s1600/IMG_1112.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8MQVPiNpFnhHKT9iJzJYngRp2oXqMpJPMjWCrYXzGEJTnjDfXZ8GyZ7pnkkegFOeKsauLEoMRpZED_BICzfaOiEf4eAYZ3hSCgUspAULxX0cZxT1O_ZDZzryyoifr08K6NWMoMX-KJhR/s400/IMG_1112.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">What a relief!</span> It was covered in dirt and I was hoping it was not damaged but when I turned it on, the annoying lady confirmed it was just fine. I had never been so happy to hear that voice in my life!<br /><br />I got back on the trail and began running when two SUV's appeared from no where and nearly sprayed me with muddy water. Thankfully they had enough consideration to go slow as they passed me. They gave me a funny look when they saw the paw prints all over me. They were probably thinking I was some super hero that had just had a little wrestling match with a mountain lion and won. I just waved majestically.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmE2j_uwL35HKiJ4rY6iEI5YlGcD0_fzXAFqfWfmgBSOXgcbCA5bSYtNftVuXvMlXPo54ReNbZeRoe7N1sQQiiM4xaq_vfzjYppMo5U4iMbTpHNanZnHo0ArfdP-DVhpATVnPxQnRfRtrc/s1600/IMG_1135.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmE2j_uwL35HKiJ4rY6iEI5YlGcD0_fzXAFqfWfmgBSOXgcbCA5bSYtNftVuXvMlXPo54ReNbZeRoe7N1sQQiiM4xaq_vfzjYppMo5U4iMbTpHNanZnHo0ArfdP-DVhpATVnPxQnRfRtrc/s400/IMG_1135.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I began to reach home and since I knew I was safe from rattlers today, I didn't want to take the trail, so I started to climb down the rocks. The VERY WET rocks.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><strong>#6 Thing NOT to do while running.<br /><br /></strong></span>Don't abandon the trail when it's raining. Adventure is fun BUT it is always better to stay on the trail. Especially if it is ra<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaueSC743l9lAGllf_-o5VLlcGEkig9PGtLKwzS26g5L-eRkb8iWpUjnOKyYlLcYfxajG3Io3TU1d8OAuvjEzTc4YNrNsvbDP8oNqizefo8pEDdMuAL5IBw1XcW0gEBYDUoQ88F7xUBcBf/s1600/IMG_1135.JPG"></a>ining. I took a little slip and nearly sprained my ankle. Honest, I did.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqIH7IV_1noFGAs7iKVvWGbMxIaz5qIGrKLfiutLHK6mr3Limo5TJV5TNm_cqJvAd-e_ciBQ5awFkp7I_AJXbqISDgczf_AM_tzQkR7tUeF3BvYWvfu8uCIkvAnpBMNBO85015xMFHhnc/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqIH7IV_1noFGAs7iKVvWGbMxIaz5qIGrKLfiutLHK6mr3Limo5TJV5TNm_cqJvAd-e_ciBQ5awFkp7I_AJXbqISDgczf_AM_tzQkR7tUeF3BvYWvfu8uCIkvAnpBMNBO85015xMFHhnc/s400/IMG_1139.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />These photos aren't staged at all.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5riZwHPmNns3hvfARfQ-GnmGLmRUBB7y3CL8rX9s15pl8AWC1Ed6jVCrsZpV-a2yIwqDAkSLqUPdDAwWkKQno0U0As-RzecWloa1-paYc2zr5rtC7dSGqnyQxCoBW5IuX1vrq3ZzmQuD/s1600/IMG_1138.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifPgkxteDPA9fuPYeX0dJH3QVg0T0wF53PdNVxaPmgbj6wehmH2ZvQsMrxKcjbvifMZVYZnmLJmoRwP8im8cjtH9uLXl4_GF9lMyJTPhAZ232qTrwmyen36BT7qEhyUu_XOyqPIGX9YUo/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifPgkxteDPA9fuPYeX0dJH3QVg0T0wF53PdNVxaPmgbj6wehmH2ZvQsMrxKcjbvifMZVYZnmLJmoRwP8im8cjtH9uLXl4_GF9lMyJTPhAZ232qTrwmyen36BT7qEhyUu_XOyqPIGX9YUo/s400/IMG_1137.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5riZwHPmNns3hvfARfQ-GnmGLmRUBB7y3CL8rX9s15pl8AWC1Ed6jVCrsZpV-a2yIwqDAkSLqUPdDAwWkKQno0U0As-RzecWloa1-paYc2zr5rtC7dSGqnyQxCoBW5IuX1vrq3ZzmQuD/s1600/IMG_1138.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5riZwHPmNns3hvfARfQ-GnmGLmRUBB7y3CL8rX9s15pl8AWC1Ed6jVCrsZpV-a2yIwqDAkSLqUPdDAwWkKQno0U0As-RzecWloa1-paYc2zr5rtC7dSGqnyQxCoBW5IuX1vrq3ZzmQuD/s400/IMG_1138.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqIH7IV_1noFGAs7iKVvWGbMxIaz5qIGrKLfiutLHK6mr3Limo5TJV5TNm_cqJvAd-e_ciBQ5awFkp7I_AJXbqISDgczf_AM_tzQkR7tUeF3BvYWvfu8uCIkvAnpBMNBO85015xMFHhnc/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZgjoct4VvSra-U7-LXdt9lisgt6K43g9TjhE1wLVmGp1gQx2XnXGcWjY2P771zLC6FGQPE1WeMAOH8VqVGKtft4nr1Xno6pC1RdJhcGOfHC1moiq9-vpr6198M1hYgBfJ0i2uRPNJIl8/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86__jcPt1LDRoUHIMXYr8vbQKu5Qi5o79VMc0sYADlNGJGAOT3LG6W5Qgm-_i87f6Z0fmMv5K2KUZ4qFepwwP9Msbn-8Mop2DmDG8EcqaR6u-vh6EnbhZ87_PAsYeXqdkrcNcSmt1xTa2/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJJS4YeE1TokUsa3W_XsQ4XXjIH4C_Mw_woe1evyCVqeUfCYT37XoHLvJFlrkSuHBfipQJ9E1r_RgaeRrYNkHhJDaiu3P-WaI3OfA58seZmw-mZ6S1YNpZPo-8OgmZWDqDvW7O2p0aYkC/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />#7 Thing NOT to do while running.</span></strong><br /><br />Do not stage photos not matter how convincing you think they are. If you do, people won't believe the rest of your story either!<br /><br />I got off the rocks and onto the very rock path that led to my home. I must say I was grateful to be alive and well. And here all this time I thought it was mountain lions and rattlesnakes I had to fear while running the mountain. Little did I know it would now become how I was going to get those blasted paw printed stains out of my clothes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZgjoct4VvSra-U7-LXdt9lisgt6K43g9TjhE1wLVmGp1gQx2XnXGcWjY2P771zLC6FGQPE1WeMAOH8VqVGKtft4nr1Xno6pC1RdJhcGOfHC1moiq9-vpr6198M1hYgBfJ0i2uRPNJIl8/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZgjoct4VvSra-U7-LXdt9lisgt6K43g9TjhE1wLVmGp1gQx2XnXGcWjY2P771zLC6FGQPE1WeMAOH8VqVGKtft4nr1Xno6pC1RdJhcGOfHC1moiq9-vpr6198M1hYgBfJ0i2uRPNJIl8/s400/IMG_1141.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86__jcPt1LDRoUHIMXYr8vbQKu5Qi5o79VMc0sYADlNGJGAOT3LG6W5Qgm-_i87f6Z0fmMv5K2KUZ4qFepwwP9Msbn-8Mop2DmDG8EcqaR6u-vh6EnbhZ87_PAsYeXqdkrcNcSmt1xTa2/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />These photos do not even do justice to the fact that I was also covered in paw prints and mud in the back.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86__jcPt1LDRoUHIMXYr8vbQKu5Qi5o79VMc0sYADlNGJGAOT3LG6W5Qgm-_i87f6Z0fmMv5K2KUZ4qFepwwP9Msbn-8Mop2DmDG8EcqaR6u-vh6EnbhZ87_PAsYeXqdkrcNcSmt1xTa2/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86__jcPt1LDRoUHIMXYr8vbQKu5Qi5o79VMc0sYADlNGJGAOT3LG6W5Qgm-_i87f6Z0fmMv5K2KUZ4qFepwwP9Msbn-8Mop2DmDG8EcqaR6u-vh6EnbhZ87_PAsYeXqdkrcNcSmt1xTa2/s400/IMG_1142.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJJS4YeE1TokUsa3W_XsQ4XXjIH4C_Mw_woe1evyCVqeUfCYT37XoHLvJFlrkSuHBfipQJ9E1r_RgaeRrYNkHhJDaiu3P-WaI3OfA58seZmw-mZ6S1YNpZPo-8OgmZWDqDvW7O2p0aYkC/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJJS4YeE1TokUsa3W_XsQ4XXjIH4C_Mw_woe1evyCVqeUfCYT37XoHLvJFlrkSuHBfipQJ9E1r_RgaeRrYNkHhJDaiu3P-WaI3OfA58seZmw-mZ6S1YNpZPo-8OgmZWDqDvW7O2p0aYkC/s400/IMG_1143.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I'm trying to show my muddy sleeve, NOT demonstrate how tough I am, even if I did just wrestle a mountain lion.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><strong>#8 Thing NOT to do while running the mountain.</strong></span><br /><br />Don't tell people that you were attacked by a dog. And especially don't write a blog post about it. Just let the paw prints do the talking. If word gets out you were attacked by a mountain lion and won the battle, you could become rich and famous!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/100/24F0349EA5D50B5108E2B0E840A938C6.png" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-11077460918373448292010-11-12T15:30:00.000-07:002014-11-12T15:31:14.700-07:00 "Believe"<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPW3oG9OQSFTQ7RbkWrtzd6ej9jZqkk_ibgMh2ab3CGZirhIj5QJTzGbeOcfORAtUZPspK-DXzttYry1XY4OeAN48GKqGm1Glo_ilBwXSeJaT0ZcjiBPGtqwP5suNzEMZmofVyzycMR0mU/s1600-h/BelieveMarathon.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPW3oG9OQSFTQ7RbkWrtzd6ej9jZqkk_ibgMh2ab3CGZirhIj5QJTzGbeOcfORAtUZPspK-DXzttYry1XY4OeAN48GKqGm1Glo_ilBwXSeJaT0ZcjiBPGtqwP5suNzEMZmofVyzycMR0mU/s400/BelieveMarathon.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198846194425756290" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
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"Believe in yourself. You must do that which you think you cannot."<br />
- Eleanor Roosevelt</div>
Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-68851329398469461502010-11-12T15:20:00.000-07:002014-11-12T15:32:24.393-07:00Top 10 Running Quotes<div>
<span style="color: #663366; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><i>1. "You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement." - Steve Prefontaine </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #663366; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><i>2. "I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." -Jesse Owens </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #663366; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><i>3. "The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare." -Juma Ikangaa, 1989 NYC Marathon winner </i></span></div>
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4. "In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." -Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder </div>
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5. "Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it." -Oprah Winfrey </div>
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6. "Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about." -PattiSue Plumer, U.S. Olympian </div>
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7. "Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'" - Peter Maher, Canadian marathon runner </div>
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8. "We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable." -Sir Roger Bannister, first runner to run a sub-4 minute mile </div>
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9. "Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'." -Paul Tergat, Kenyan professional marathoner</div>
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10. "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." -John Bingham, running speaker and writer</div>
</i></span> Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-23486181022439843722010-10-08T14:34:00.010-06:002010-10-08T23:20:04.914-06:00It Will Feel Better When It Stops Hurting!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLj3BeD3gEOJLR4fF7T6nTSF9GJn4aA8_XwBrmFYJr1Xbvkvl_df56EoxSJzJwWKDeiPD6sbkmMpWMgQup8nspbCCJ8cdyU04_dZkeX8CJBU9eFmedAzvCm-379TPn_ui0-ChH46D3HANN/s1600/Collages131.jpg"></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOah9_cZ79yPlaXaAPme_EMsOmBxPn0vNelnOWmlFFpm9N8o5GU0ydWlFnlDe7GRBUnSYBkArm_oukNaF0DHDw7N_NM_CsVHhgWLhW6v7j0FTID2ifaya-vp3WxlikNHwmOZBb_Rup_kD/s1600/tou_logo.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOah9_cZ79yPlaXaAPme_EMsOmBxPn0vNelnOWmlFFpm9N8o5GU0ydWlFnlDe7GRBUnSYBkArm_oukNaF0DHDw7N_NM_CsVHhgWLhW6v7j0FTID2ifaya-vp3WxlikNHwmOZBb_Rup_kD/s400/tou_logo.jpg" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1PntCLSN512wA-HxNseNL7m9yHBmfP75hOu-9oia3tu860QllF4TCActYMKycThSGbwB-SmceRiEo-91HZmQEoTDZLSqpytx4EEE5sAb7x6_znWGr8cp4Kw1GZtlURlbacK-0opzy3M9/s1600/27461-090-012T.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 100px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524684515932430722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1PntCLSN512wA-HxNseNL7m9yHBmfP75hOu-9oia3tu860QllF4TCActYMKycThSGbwB-SmceRiEo-91HZmQEoTDZLSqpytx4EEE5sAb7x6_znWGr8cp4Kw1GZtlURlbacK-0opzy3M9/s400/27461-090-012T.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#00cccc;"><strong>I DID IT!!! I REALLY DID IT!!!</strong></span>
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<br />Second words:
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<br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#00cccc;"><strong>AND I DIDN'T DIE!!!</strong></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> (completely anyway!)
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<br />I am happy to report that I ran<em> <strong><span style="color:#cccccc;">and</span></strong></em> survived <span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc33cc;"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">26.2 miles</span><span style="color:#000066;">!</span></strong></span> And without the need of a stretcher or ambulance.
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<br />I ran the <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc66;"><strong>Top of Utah Marathon</strong></span> on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010. The course begins at Hardware Ranch in Cache Valley and ends in the city of Logan. I decided to do this in June just before the Ragnar Relay, <em>but</em> after many marathon runners told me it was not a good one to do for my first because the last six miles are tougher than other Utah marathons and the first 14 miles really hammer your legs because of the downhill, I decided against it after all. I <strong><span style="color:#663300;">respect</span></strong> and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330099;"><strong>FEAR</strong></span> the distance of<span style="color:#ffcccc;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;"><strong>26.2</strong></span> and I didn't want anything but a wonderful course to do for my first. First? Listen to me! This was to be my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;"><strong>ONE AND ONLY!</strong></span> Either way, I decided to wait until next year and do the Ogden or the Utah Valley Marathon because everyone really loves those.
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<br /></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;">BUT...</span></strong> I just kept toying with the idea because I felt like I was really in good training shape after the Ragnar and I prefer to run (train) in the summer vs the winter and if I didn't do this one then I would have to train in the winter freezing my buns on my long runs. That just didn't appeal to me. I would rather do a 20 mile training run in 85° than 25° any day! So, I decided to just<span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;"><strong> <span style="color:#003300;">bite the bullet</span></strong></span> and go for it! Then when I heard my friend Heather was going to do it also, I knew it was the right choice. So I jumped in with both feet<span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong> <span style="color:#993300;">(literally)</span></strong></span> and began to train for three long months!
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<br /><span style="color:#999999;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;">WARNING:</span> </strong></span>This post is long. <span style="font-size:180%;color:#663366;">26.2</span> miles is long too. Enough said.
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<br />I started to get nervous on the Monday before, and started to stress about<span style="color:#ffcccc;"><strong> <span style="color:#003300;">every little detail.</span></strong></span> I was worried what miles to GU (gel) and which GU to use and how much and what I should eat the morning of and the night before. I was obsessed with the<span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong> <span style="color:#003300;">weather forecast</span></strong></span> and prayed hard for a beautiful <span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong>WARM</strong></span> day. And most important of all → <strong><span style="color:#cccccc;">WHAT TO WEAR!</span></strong> ☺ Packet pick ups were the night before and I also had to get to my son's varsity football game where he was starting, so I couldn't be late. It was also our <strong><span style="color:#ffffcc;">28th wedding Anniversary</span></strong>. I knew I had to be up by 3:15 a.m. and I didn't want to be eating after the game, so I went to <strong><span style="color:#333399;">Rumbi Grill</span></strong> to carb load on some brown rice and veggies after the expo on my way to the game. <strong><span style="color:#000066;">How romantic</span></strong> to eat dinner in the car, by yourself on your anniversary! We decided to celebrate another night. Have I mentioned running a marathon<span style="color:#ffffcc;"><strong> <span style="color:#000099;">consumes you?</span></strong></span> Well, it does! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX6zOtPoIqnyT9VdB4smIVebPYI7mZ4vwOH4PWeMW09DJYnIliQru0A8KfzOuAQkEuQnoqKRvPuikX14z3WX7punob9EhmAAw2Ngc1t9Yhw37iEeW7JhxHks_alpDPuK498Qn1DNlR1D5/s1600/IMG_3713.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX6zOtPoIqnyT9VdB4smIVebPYI7mZ4vwOH4PWeMW09DJYnIliQru0A8KfzOuAQkEuQnoqKRvPuikX14z3WX7punob9EhmAAw2Ngc1t9Yhw37iEeW7JhxHks_alpDPuK498Qn1DNlR1D5/s400/IMG_3713.jpg" /></a>
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<br />I was finally starting to get excited about this ordeal and so got everything ready to go early in the day, but I ended staying up until almost midnight with <strong><span style="color:#000099;">so many details</span></strong> to worry and think about. I was pretty sure I wouldn't be sleeping a wink anyway because of the nerves.</div>
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<br />D-day arrived and I once again went over in my head everything I would need to remember, like what miles to GU on and the reason <strong><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#003333;">WHY I WAS DOING THIS</span>.</span></strong> I wrote<span style="font-size:180%;color:#00cccc;"><strong> <span style="color:#330033;">Tyson's</span></strong></span> name on my hand so when things started to get tough (which I knew they would) I would remember that I was<span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong> dedicating this to him in his memory</strong></span> because when things got tough for him, he didn't quit or give up. Nor could I. I am healthy and physically able to run a marathon, whereas he was not. I<span style="color:#cc66cc;"><strong> <span style="color:#330033;">CAN</span></strong></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"> </span>do it and so I wanted to do it for him in honor of his amazing<span style="color:#330033;"> <strong>courage and dignity</strong></span> that he so overly possessed.
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<br />Rob and Heather showed up at <span style="color:#663333;"><strong>4:30 a.m</strong>.</span> Dave was up with me and so I asked him to come along for the ride to help calm my nerves. I used the travel time to write on my hand the miles I needed to GU because when those long miles start to set in, it's hard to even remember your name, let alone anything else important! We arrived at <strong><span style="color:#330033;">Merlin Olsen Park</span></strong> in Logan and bid our farewells. I told Dave it might be the last time he sees me alive and so maybe he should start preparing<span style="color:#cc33cc;"> </span><span style="color:#330099;"><strong>my funeral</strong></span> on the ride back.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskvgPvnRz0ApjAioyXtypWtXFpAoac7szcbRPUb7Bwru4f4SmCVqe770x5_1sY6HxwQqAFygPWHN2-TKPIpBFCO0fkTtwlFmkH0eRkOcUVmSaRUt8nZ376u-zjXZXqWD_1E9rMnLDAZkP/s1600/September+2010++MARATHON1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskvgPvnRz0ApjAioyXtypWtXFpAoac7szcbRPUb7Bwru4f4SmCVqe770x5_1sY6HxwQqAFygPWHN2-TKPIpBFCO0fkTtwlFmkH0eRkOcUVmSaRUt8nZ376u-zjXZXqWD_1E9rMnLDAZkP/s400/September+2010++MARATHON1.jpg" /></a>
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<br />We loaded the buses at the finish line and traveled to the starting line. It seemed like that ride took forever. Once there, the first item on our list was to hit the <strong><span style="color:#ffcc33;">porta potties!</span></strong> There was already a line, but we had to do what we had to do. The temperature felt like it was around <span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>40°</strong></span>; much warmer than I had anticipated thankfully! We walked down to the warming tents. <strong><span style="color:#99ff99;">YES, warming tents!</span></strong> They were awesome. We were packed inside like sardines, but it was so warm and cozy no one seemed to mind. Some people were even sleeping inside.
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<br /></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">WHO could sleep at a time like this!?
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<br /></strong></span></div><div></div><div>About 6:45 a.m. me and Heather headed outside to drop off our <span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong>clothing bag</strong></span> in the bus. I took off my<strong><span style="color:#333399;"> </span><span style="color:#663333;">cute DI jacket</span></strong> that I bought so I could toss it on the side of the road when I no longer needed it, knowing I would never see it again, but I really liked it and decided to keep it. So in the bag it went and I put on another one that I didn't care about.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMo5T68RvEuyrr8o0K_DFKLxSYbWKasyGrM7BL3-b3z5ktu4yNqlO_D9GmZvwlpZcIdLKcBdV4dJws2gwTSN2G0_kN5wKb5PICSqq8bc4_Rj5S30FNtmv2XhHWjZwXPzqc3YQ_d8GXIvwp/s1600/60534_1579026444790_1509523882_1470167_1045889_n.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMo5T68RvEuyrr8o0K_DFKLxSYbWKasyGrM7BL3-b3z5ktu4yNqlO_D9GmZvwlpZcIdLKcBdV4dJws2gwTSN2G0_kN5wKb5PICSqq8bc4_Rj5S30FNtmv2XhHWjZwXPzqc3YQ_d8GXIvwp/s400/60534_1579026444790_1509523882_1470167_1045889_n.jpg" /></a>
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<br />You could feel the tension and <span style="color:#663300;"><strong>excitement start to build</strong>.</span> Everyone started to line up behind the starting line according to their predicted finishing times. Elites in the front - slow pokes in the back, with everyone else in between. Me and Heather noticed we were standing in the 3:30 pace group (pretty elite) and started to laugh. We thought we probably faked some of them out and made them think we were elite runners. We eased back to the 4:30 sign. Then<span style="color:#333399;"> </span><strong><span style="color:#660000;">the five minute warning gun went off</span><span style="color:#33ff33;"> </strong></span>and the chatter noise level escalated and everyone started to get excited. Right then, I realized I needed to make<span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong><span style="color:#ffff99;"> </span><span style="color:#663366;">another trip to the porta potty!</span></strong></span> It was quite a hike and I knew I'd never be back in time and so I just danced around and hoped the feeling was just from nerves and the cold and would go away once I started running.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP307kat4HQXb8R4PItYM1g1LtcPaZM_hgal68i6iWG7bOt6dvvAKLRWVMMChVp8dIZSfGxMHpPoAS-U7piF-8U9FLK5nX7iyu21BIN10hN1tl0CRD4kjrA5br7SWhyphenhyphenUNEo2Za5CNjzBEE/s1600/27461-232-001S.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 384px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524635107631711874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP307kat4HQXb8R4PItYM1g1LtcPaZM_hgal68i6iWG7bOt6dvvAKLRWVMMChVp8dIZSfGxMHpPoAS-U7piF-8U9FLK5nX7iyu21BIN10hN1tl0CRD4kjrA5br7SWhyphenhyphenUNEo2Za5CNjzBEE/s400/27461-232-001S.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a>
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<br /><span style="color:#000066;">THE GUN WENT OFF</span></strong></span> and so did we! It took us almost a minute to cross the pad that reads your chip and records your exact time. Not too bad considering there was almost 3000 runners. </div><div>
<br />Oh you could<span style="color:#999999;"><strong> <span style="color:#993300;">feel the excitement</span></strong></span> in the air. Everyone was chatting and glad to finally be starting on this long journey. There was a couple we talked to that said they were from Florida and just decided on Wed. that they were going to run it. They were worried about the altitude's effect on them. Ya think? </div>
<br /><div>The next thing I know we are at <strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><span style="color:#003300;">mile ONE</span>!</span></strong> I didn't believe it because it didn't feel like we had already ran a mile. Then mile <span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>TWO!</strong></span> And <strong><span style="color:#663366;">THREE!</span></strong> They were just sailing by. It was a great feeling. And the best part was my injury hadn't flared up once. I wasn't feeling as good cardiovascular wise as I usually do and that started to worry me a bit. Nothing like I did at the half marathon. I knew it was from the lack of running for those two weeks before to heal my injury <strong><span style="color:#003300;">AND.... I STILL</span></strong> needed to visit the Porta Potty! At each mile marker they had a couple of them but there was always a line and I did not want to have to wait in line so I kept running. Finally about mile seven or eight, I decided to follow suite of the others that also didn't want to wait and ran into the bushes! The worst part of that was coming out of the bushes with everyone watching me <strong><span style="color:#330000;">knowing full well what I had been doing!</span></strong> I ran back in and tried to catch up to Heather, but of course it was now<strong><span style="color:#ffcccc;"> UPHILL</span></strong>! I pushed it hard and finally caught up. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5pK_YEKn-mHDyf3yg5LO808lPpFU5cgIXC95Lcs8E9rtOCmBabyBdam3ExwFJT7u3klriEwqVZjjWfS0Hz_cz7Qy76dbSa-5dKo80p6zQRbmeDWXMgJD9bkugF15M2bXpRI6-KGPNpO2/s1600/September+2010+(2)+Marathon.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5pK_YEKn-mHDyf3yg5LO808lPpFU5cgIXC95Lcs8E9rtOCmBabyBdam3ExwFJT7u3klriEwqVZjjWfS0Hz_cz7Qy76dbSa-5dKo80p6zQRbmeDWXMgJD9bkugF15M2bXpRI6-KGPNpO2/s400/September+2010+(2)+Marathon.jpg" /></a>
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<br />There were many medics on bikes and a lot of campers down the canyon. I was looking forward to <strong><span style="color:#330099;">mile 14</span></strong> where spectators were finally allowed. It was amazing to me how fast it came. We were <span style="color:#ffff00;"><strong><span style="color:#003300;">still feeling strong</span> </strong></span>and had kept up our pace perfectly. I looked for Dave in the crowd but couldn't see him, but <strong><span style="color:#66ff99;">Jen, Julie, and Abby</span></strong> were there cheering us on with a poster! It helps so much to see someone you know that came just to cheer you on. It gives you that boost that you so desperately need!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ75NPsvj6G8LRwZ0_N54qxyxQXPVChXaBW2uQ7c3Im8xY_tQV1Zqe2mcmQDOIQXdlhde1XXgJ3MYWnG2IlRtTQb4amxiqQxpoyCzI2Slu-iNYPuHWazvcFX9BC8Gm7yT4RbFlySTwYd7d/s1600/September+2010++MARATHON2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ75NPsvj6G8LRwZ0_N54qxyxQXPVChXaBW2uQ7c3Im8xY_tQV1Zqe2mcmQDOIQXdlhde1XXgJ3MYWnG2IlRtTQb4amxiqQxpoyCzI2Slu-iNYPuHWazvcFX9BC8Gm7yT4RbFlySTwYd7d/s400/September+2010++MARATHON2.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div>We were now out of the canyon and on normal streets. At about <strong><span style="color:#99ff99;">mile 16</span></strong> one of our fellow runners we were chatting with said that we were <span style="color:#c0c0c0;"><strong><span style="color:#333300;">almost to the sin</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGyvbO6ceggD-Lqo_z-XB1sF73PQSNSZzs34Zh7t6e8TKjRlkpEfRygcWSWt1nQmPapGycSEt7cYqcfLgRKUCbZJjWDeeIGWUv6Nq8HC7HiKAju9tNFmtH993IrtNLLmr6NfYYbzjrVvI/s1600/September+2010++MARATHON4.jpg"></a><span style="color:#333300;">gle digits</span>.</strong></span> I realized she meant the miles that were now left were no longer double digits. The <strong><span style="color:#660000;">countdown was on</span></strong> and we only had 9 more to go! <strong><span style="color:#330099;">Only NINE?</span></strong> Actually that sounded really encouraging at that point. The run was going great and we were both feeling pretty good but starting to feel it at <span style="color:#ffff33;"><strong>MILE 17</strong></span>. My hamstrings were getting really tight and my calves were starting to cramp. That's when I saw Dave. He was just arriving at the point where we were passing and so we didn't get to really talk to him. At the aid station at mile 17, Jen caught up to us with some Advil for Heather. I did a half GU and took some Tylenol and some Advil as well.
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<br />Bad idea.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoLL46iPCtbe_vRIjjcTsi3sJmnAPKAO1bSUq-w5ChnTomLPnItSiN2IeZdNvhIliXiEPlJr9-1AC1x_CrDV8-442SMk-cAVmRw-8W4VWCEPH5bpjhwEh6wtxT97cAezE8UoG3SL1BhBC/s1600/Collages132.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoLL46iPCtbe_vRIjjcTsi3sJmnAPKAO1bSUq-w5ChnTomLPnItSiN2IeZdNvhIliXiEPlJr9-1AC1x_CrDV8-442SMk-cAVmRw-8W4VWCEPH5bpjhwEh6wtxT97cAezE8UoG3SL1BhBC/s400/Collages132.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />I had been pleasantly surprised that my injury did not flare up once at this point, but I was so nervous it would that I decided to take the meds <span style="color:#336666;"><strong>BEFORE</strong></span> to catch it before it did. My "doc" advised me to only take three Advil, but I decided that the way I was feeling would just get worse and that four would be <em>much</em> better for when it did. <strong><span style="color:#990000;">Next time I will listen</span></strong> to my doc. I basically took them on an empty stomach (other than a little Gatorade and a half a GU gel) and I started to<span style="color:#cc66cc;"><strong> <span style="color:#000066;">feel my stomach protest</span></strong></span>. I took out the pretzel sticks I had brought and started to eat a few of those to help curb things. I knew the salt would also help with the calf cramps as well. Another bad idea. They didn't sit well in my stomach. But it was still all good... <strong><span style="color:#660000;">for now.</span></strong> </div>
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<br /><div>We kept running and at <strong><span style="color:#663366;">aid station 19</span></strong> the only thing I could do was water. I was still feeling good, though not great, and was grateful my injury was not flaring up. I didn't have one single problem with it during the race or after. <strong><span style="color:#333300;">That was a miracle!</span></strong> Those two weeks of not running must have helped it heal as well as the blessing Dave gave me that morning. Me and Heather both did some <strong><span style="color:#000066;">heavy duty stretching</span></strong> at that station. The hams and calves were even tighter and so I did whatever stretches I could to try and loosen things up. Then we took off once again. At<span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;"><strong> mile 21</strong></span> Dave finally caught up to us and it was so good to see him. He told us we were looking great. I was still feeling good but noticed my pace was starting to slow down a bit. Heather said the song "Highway to Hell" just came on her Ipod; talk about perfect timing. The calves were really <strong><span style="color:#330000;">starting to cramp</span></strong> hard now and my stomach was feeling the effects of the Advil and becoming very queasy and unsettled.
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<br /></div><div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div><div>At about <strong><span style="color:#ffff33;">mile 21 1/2</span></strong> just as we turned a corner to go up a hill my calves got even worse and felt like knives were slicing through them. I knew I was going to have to actually walk for a bit or collapse. I told Heather to go ahead and I would catch up. We had previously decided that if one or the other had any problems that the other was to just go and not stop. We knew there would be plenty of assistance along the way if we really needed it but we also needed to<span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong> <span style="color:#330033;">run our own races. </span></strong></span></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong>
<br /></div><div>The calf cramping was becoming very intense - almost debilitating, but the nausea was the worst. It was very difficult to see her running ahead and<span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong> <span style="color:#660000;">that's when I knew it was becoming all mental</span></strong></span><span style="color:#660000;">.</span> The body did not want to go on, just the mind. The mind was becoming unsure as well. Then the frustration and despair hit me so fast! I was becoming very emotional, a tell-tale sign the blood gluose levels were getting low. As I watched Heather keep running and knowing how I was feeling, and knowing I still had four and half more miles to go, and knowing that the pain was not likely to ease up but only get much worse, I wanted to give up.<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"><strong>
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<br /><span style="color:#000066;">I wanted to quit!
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<br /></strong></span>I wanted it to be over right then. I immediately called Dave and as soon as I heard his voice the tears started to flow. I told him that<span style="color:#666666;"><strong> I couldn't do it</strong>.</span> That I was not going to make it. That it was<span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong> just too hard</strong></span>. I remember he kind of chuckled and said, "I just saw you half a mile ago and you looked great! You can do it." He then told me that he would meet me at mile 22. I told him that I didn't think I could go that far. Looking back now, I realize how humorous that must have sounded since it was just a half a mile! Though at the time I was dead serious.<span style="color:#ffff99;"> </span><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>Everything inside of me wanted to quit.</strong></span> The pain was too much. The thought of running four more miles feeling like I was at the moment was too overwhelming. </div><div>
<br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">But I pushed on.</span>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglxvxwoDIRNSOktECW_13gfQ1hJ93KSXnmKgin8GqyD7l2ppp_oi3g3ucC08_Crec1kfjRiekE9HJoYqYtd0jqSuNpErrJKnTNN-GN9w8-mdvxfGWvRr_LvS1RbaKfBrazajbGm1m8T07/s1600/fghgfhfghfg.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglxvxwoDIRNSOktECW_13gfQ1hJ93KSXnmKgin8GqyD7l2ppp_oi3g3ucC08_Crec1kfjRiekE9HJoYqYtd0jqSuNpErrJKnTNN-GN9w8-mdvxfGWvRr_LvS1RbaKfBrazajbGm1m8T07/s400/fghgfhfghfg.jpg" /></a></strong></span></div><div><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Mile 22</span></strong> had another aid station and as I approached it I knew I needed to drink some gatorade if I even stood a chance at finishing, but my stomach wouldn't even tolerate much more than a tiny sip of water. I don't remember much about that aid station and I don't even remember being let down that Dave wasn't there. I just kept running through the pain and hoped I would see him soon.<strong><span style="color:#999999;"> </span><span style="color:#66ff99;">I needed some encouragement</span></strong> big time. The tears started to flow again. I had on sunglasses so it wasn't real noticable. I tried so hard to stay positive; to repeat the many<span style="color:#cc0000;"> </span><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>run</strong><strong>ning mantras</strong></span> I had memorized for this moment. It was all futile because all I could think about was to keep pushing. Most of the runners at this point were<strong><span style="color:#993300;"> in their own world</span></strong> now trying with all they had to keep moving. All I wanted at that point was for another runner to pat me on the back and tell me I could do it. But no one did.<span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong> </strong></span>
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<br /><span style="color:#330033;">Then I saw Dave!
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<br /></strong></span></div><div></div><div>He was with Heather's husband Rob at about <strong><span style="color:#003333;">mile 23</span></strong> and he yelled out at me or I doubt I would have seen him. I could tell I was not functioning on full brain power at this point. There was a fork in the road and even though the runners ahead of me were turning right, I didn't really notice and when I got there I honestly did not know which way to go. I yelled at Dave, "Which way do I go?" He yelled back,<span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong> "Choose the right!".</strong></span> After seeing him I was feeling a little stronger but still feeling thrashed. Three more miles to go. One of the girls I had talked to earlier was now by my side and struggling too. She gave me that much needed pat on the back and told me I was doing great. She was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;"><strong>angel #1. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGjF9AdWoECwJxJoMWTYxgwFDz-KK7ii_wyRFxK3qELkb2ISdB_jkVATMuPjulBj2hE1vETHD0wxXJG5CsGT4jkrXJMPpBk1qd-hJgNxkGP0rFcBCTapDDTdvSxCXAL2QXLRHFWVWp2Ct/s1600/September+2010+(2)+Marathon2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGjF9AdWoECwJxJoMWTYxgwFDz-KK7ii_wyRFxK3qELkb2ISdB_jkVATMuPjulBj2hE1vETHD0wxXJG5CsGT4jkrXJMPpBk1qd-hJgNxkGP0rFcBCTapDDTdvSxCXAL2QXLRHFWVWp2Ct/s400/September+2010+(2)+Marathon2.jpg" /></a></strong></span>
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<br />Then there was another hill! Oh glory! There were<span style="color:#999999;"><strong> <span style="color:#660000;">so many stinkin' hills</span></strong></span> those last six miles I was going to scream if I saw another one. Well probably not scream. I didn't have enough left in me to do that! Not huge hills but inclined enough to<span style="color:#ffcccc;"><strong> <span style="color:#000066;">cause excruciating pain with each step</span></strong></span>. Then a sweet girl named Katie ran by me and told me I was doing great. She then asked me if I wanted her to cheer me on at the finish line and all I could say was, "I don't think I am going to make it to the finish line." <strong><span style="color:#003333;">She encouraged me on and ran off.</span></strong> About 3o seconds later she turned around and came running back to me and asked me if I wanted her to run with me.<span style="color:#009900;"><strong> <span style="color:#003333;">I said, "YES!"</span></strong></span> with as much enthusiasm as was possible in my state. We chatted about how this was her third time running this marathon and she was a returned missionary. I asked her what her previous times were and she said around 4:30. I immediately told her to please go ahead because that was my goal time and I knew that I wasn't going to quite reach it. She was sweet and told me that it was okay and that<span style="color:#ff9966;"><strong> <span style="color:#330033;">she felt inspired to come back and run with me.</span></strong></span> She was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;"><strong>angel #2.</strong></span> Interestingly after about a half mile she said she was cramping and was going to have to stop. Then she ran ahead of me and I didn't see her again. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>As I approached <span style="color:#330099;"><strong>mile 24</strong>,</span> I saw the first aid help and ran over to get some numbing spray on my calves. I did that at mile 23 as well and even though it didn't help much, the cool spray at least <strong><span style="color:#663366;">made it feel better</span></strong> for a second or two. The EMT asked me if I wanted to sit down but I told him if I did<span style="color:#cc66cc;"> </span><span style="color:#333399;"><strong>I would never get back up. </strong></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc66cc;"></span>
<br /></div><div><span style="color:#003333;">We were on<strong> Main Street</strong></span> now and I was hoping all the spectators and traffic would help keep my mind off the torture of each step. I was wrong. The pain was bad. Really bad. I was hurting in places I had never even given thought to before. Then a girl I had been chatting with about mile 16 ran up along side me. We started to chat and she was struggling to keep going as well. Just the little bit we talked was helpful to<span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong> <span style="color:#000066;">keep my mind off the steps</span></strong></span> even if it was not for long. We saw the hill on Main and she said, "There is no way I am running that one." I agreed. But she did. And because she did so did I. I knew if I had stopped running, then I might not be able to start again at that point.</div><div></div><div>
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<br />The next aid station was at <span style="color:#999999;"><strong>mile 25.</strong></span> I have no recall of much of <strong><span style="color:#660000;">mile 24</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">.</span></strong> It is a blur. I am not sure how I got through other than all the distractions on Main. There were people here and there waiting for their runner to cheer them on, but I wish more would have cheered us <em>all</em> on while they waited. The ones that did<span style="color:#66ff99;"><strong> <span style="color:#330033;">helped more than they know</span></strong></span><span style="color:#330033;">.</span> Once again I just ran past the volunteers holding out cups of water with tears streaming down my face. I still couldn't even drink anything. They were great at cheering us on as we passed. There were several runners along side of the aid stations and side of the road in tears at this point. I was getting more hopeful just knowing that<span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong> <span style="color:#000066;">the finish line was so close...</span><span style="color:#ffcccc;"> </span><span style="color:#993300;">yet so far.</span><span style="color:#33ccff;"> </span></strong></span>
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<br />I turned off Main on another hill and was<span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong> <span style="color:#660000;">cursing the race organizers</span></strong></span> for yet another hill when I turned to see a long straight away ahead. I was done. So done. I just wanted to cross that finish line and I knew I was going to have to <strong><span style="color:#333300;">push myself so far beyond my limits</span></strong> to get there. But I knew the only way to feel better, to end this insanity, to stop, to rest, was to push hard because stopping before the finish was not an option. Just then an arm was around me and a voice saying, <strong><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">"</span><span style="color:#000066;">Mom, you are doing great! You are almost there!"</span></strong> It was my son <strong><span style="color:#99ff99;">McKay!</span></strong> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;"><strong>Angel #4</strong></span>. All I could say to him was, "HOW MUCH FARTHER?" He ran along side of me for almost a mile though I didn't know it because he was off the side following me. Then I turned another corner and saw the <strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">mile marker 26!!!</span></strong> I had never been so happy to see anything in my life! But then a huge let down because there was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;"><strong>NO FINISH LINE!!!</strong></span> I knew I must be in a bad dream! This had to be a nightmare! Then another runner yelled out, "Point two! Just point two!" I had forgotten about the <span style="color:#ffff00;"><strong>stinkin' POINT TWO!!!</strong></span> I remember feeling just sick that I had to run another point two. Just then McKay once again came up to me when I needed it most and told me I was doing great. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGwA4OcsemspNSroZopUCQCG1z_Sikl3TEkWs0VHXRo7KEZJM6fe-9T14WBMf1sIvFwwPGkaDYR1ydUktFKpZs4rAOaf4jXfbUm32tGd03TtEnVpCkNPgyZcGfTzgD7NBm6T-FdBEYmNx/s1600/September+2010+(2)+Marathon3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGwA4OcsemspNSroZopUCQCG1z_Sikl3TEkWs0VHXRo7KEZJM6fe-9T14WBMf1sIvFwwPGkaDYR1ydUktFKpZs4rAOaf4jXfbUm32tGd03TtEnVpCkNPgyZcGfTzgD7NBm6T-FdBEYmNx/s400/September+2010+(2)+Marathon3.jpg" /></a></div><div>
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<br />I was so ready to be done. I was pretty sure <strong><span style="color:#666600;">they measured that last mile wrong</span></strong> because it felt like it was seven miles, not one! Then Jen came running out to me and told me that I was almost there. Once again all I could say was,<span style="color:#cc66cc;"><strong> <span style="color:#330033;">"How much farther?"</span></strong></span> She said, "About two blocks." That about did me in. I didn't think I could run two more steps let alone two more blocks! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGyvbO6ceggD-Lqo_z-XB1sF73PQSNSZzs34Zh7t6e8TKjRlkpEfRygcWSWt1nQmPapGycSEt7cYqcfLgRKUCbZJjWDeeIGWUv6Nq8HC7HiKAju9tNFmtH993IrtNLLmr6NfYYbzjrVvI/s1600/September+2010++MARATHON4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGyvbO6ceggD-Lqo_z-XB1sF73PQSNSZzs34Zh7t6e8TKjRlkpEfRygcWSWt1nQmPapGycSEt7cYqcfLgRKUCbZJjWDeeIGWUv6Nq8HC7HiKAju9tNFmtH993IrtNLLmr6NfYYbzjrVvI/s400/September+2010++MARATHON4.jpg" /></a></div><div>
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<br />We turned the corner and<span style="color:#3366ff;"><strong> <span style="color:#660000;">I saw the finish line.</span></strong></span> That should have been one of the greatest sights in my life, but it was more like seeing a mirage knowing it is there but I will never reach it. It seemed so far away that I didn't think I could make it. Then another runner we had been chatting with earlier ran up to me and said, <strong><span style="color:#000066;">"We're almost there. This is where we turn it on and sprint!"</span></strong> All I could say back to her was, "I am not going to make it that far." It is<span style="color:#ffcc99;"> <strong><span style="color:#663300;">so comical</span></strong> </span>now to go back and realize how silly and ridiculous that sounds but at the time it was my reality. Those last steps seemed longer than the entire marathon put together. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ai4s92ZdYsV6F3-Zw5KOF60IX-ACm4fgfJPEUYsbS5zQpVDjuvZml0oFiRUf58pBSyHH-BS5Zi6UkH3kS0RLZGoTWp4MHmh6JzAbGux-IMl6F1XVu_zTVdqpl8DwyIR-1v0rUnTvhGTV/s1600/September+2010++MARATHON8.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ai4s92ZdYsV6F3-Zw5KOF60IX-ACm4fgfJPEUYsbS5zQpVDjuvZml0oFiRUf58pBSyHH-BS5Zi6UkH3kS0RLZGoTWp4MHmh6JzAbGux-IMl6F1XVu_zTVdqpl8DwyIR-1v0rUnTvhGTV/s400/September+2010++MARATHON8.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<br />As I got closer, a wave of excitement began to rush over me and I allowed myself to think how amazing it will be <strong><span style="color:#ffff33;"><span style="color:#663333;">when that medal is placed around my neck</span>.</span></strong> I wanted it so badly. I dug as deep as I have ever dug to find<span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong> <span style="color:#000066;">every last ounce of energy</span></strong></span> and gave it all I had.
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<br />The announcer said,<span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;"><strong>"Now finishing- Jodi ______</strong></span> from (and my city)" Those words didn't even phase me. I didn't care. All I cared about was that<span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong> <span style="color:#003333;">I CROSSED THAT LINE</span></strong></span> and now I could<span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong> <span style="color:#330099;">STOP RUNNING!!!!</span> </strong></span>
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<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div>Once my feet crossed that line, the tears began flowing again only this time they were<span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong> <span style="color:#003333;">tears of INTENSE RELIEF</span></strong></span><span style="color:#003333;">. </span>Ugly tears, but a<span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong> <span style="color:#000066;">beautiful moment!</span></strong></span> It didn't hit me right off that<span style="font-size:180%;color:#6633ff;"><strong> I had just completed a MARATHON!</strong></span> I just wanted to find my family and friends and rest. But I was amazed... relieved... and it was all worth it!
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<br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">I was a bit disappointed that I hadn't reached my goal of <span style="color:#000066;"><strong>4:30</strong>,</span> but with the way I was feeling those last four miles, I am now just grateful I finished and <span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong>4:44</strong></span> which isn't that far off is still a respectable time. Heck after running that thing...I am here to say,<strong><span style="color:#663300;"> ANY</span></strong> time is respectable! I do have to agree with other runners that say,<strong><span style="color:#6633ff;"> </span><span style="color:#330033;">"The marathon doesn't even begin until mile 20."</span></strong><span style="color:#330033;"> I</span> was secretly hoping that wasn't true, but now I am here to say it is! Or<span style="color:#6633ff;"><strong> <span style="color:#330033;">mile 21 and 1/2</span> </strong></span>in my case.
<br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSB59UkAA-f6YBATVTHRW_Ls11ZOoCKE-N4g5sUqQshyjgpEeZ5MFB7PAYwIHuOOPRJWqo-BB_ZTGPP1Dik2tzcW2ZSCPxvBWzj-dhycpOVrW0a1N68hDYHO9XheyuYSrKMeUf2A-CKx1Z/s400/September+2010+(2)+Marathon5.jpg" />
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<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe7krZQBStAxzW8gwoYh5egVASC559c82XrCsRXKsBWWdwaJvhflwB1nAhgYI-ZTSnyZfPZ6GHSJCZX8RN4jPZsbkrZAnApRuCjemIIRH5LSgIBi5yJEA_6gAxaD9w55V0ORV_ZVt8ULb/s1600/60575_1578144742748_1509523882_1467608_5860487_n.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe7krZQBStAxzW8gwoYh5egVASC559c82XrCsRXKsBWWdwaJvhflwB1nAhgYI-ZTSnyZfPZ6GHSJCZX8RN4jPZsbkrZAnApRuCjemIIRH5LSgIBi5yJEA_6gAxaD9w55V0ORV_ZVt8ULb/s400/60575_1578144742748_1509523882_1467608_5860487_n.jpg" /></a><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div></div><div>
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<br />I was surprised how<span style="color:#ff9966;"><strong> <span style="color:#330099;">light headed</span></strong></span> I became about 30 minutes after. I nearly went down a couple of times and so decided it was time to sit. Not sure if that was a good idea or not. It felt like <span style="color:#999999;"><strong>rigamortis </strong></span>was beginning to set in! Standing up and getting the muscles to work was even worse. But I had plenty of help to assist me as I began to walk again. <span style="color:#000066;"><strong>I felt like a 90 year old</strong>.</span> Dave and my Dad brought me some <strong><span style="color:#663333;">chocolate milk.</span></strong> That tasted so good, but I couldn't drink much. I heard the massage line was moving fast and so I hustled over. As fast as a 90 year old can hustle with people assisting her. The<span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong> <span style="color:#663366;">massages</span></strong></span> were only supposed to last about 10 minutes but the guy I got gave me at least a 3o minute one. <strong><span style="color:#ffff33;">It hurt so good.</span></strong> He was the Weber State Football team's sports therapist. If I could have, I would have stayed there all day while he massaged my screaming muscles.
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsx8AL0ZSYK_72ufZ4lUQXYRy0O2NXGni7wH50ndW_8PP-_q2FYTwtVHC2slVUepaG3YxefcpwHtsPv2J2vLVKIfMsGaMr98bUF8h2P6eSHaYoDO7A40rEyS9CAbwM9zjMzOPK3FlG9K1u/s1600/September+2010++MARATHON11.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsx8AL0ZSYK_72ufZ4lUQXYRy0O2NXGni7wH50ndW_8PP-_q2FYTwtVHC2slVUepaG3YxefcpwHtsPv2J2vLVKIfMsGaMr98bUF8h2P6eSHaYoDO7A40rEyS9CAbwM9zjMzOPK3FlG9K1u/s400/September+2010++MARATHON11.jpg" /></a></div><div>
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<br />The recovery was slow. I felt like I had been run over by a steamroller; hit by a semi or a locamotive. Stairs... <strong><span style="color:#ffff33;">Oh the stairs!</span></strong> For the first couple of days I actually<strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"> slid down the bannister</span></strong> because it was easier than bending my knees. The only muscles I had to support me in the process were my hand and arm muscles. It was probably a good way to end up really injured. A video of that would have given<span style="color:#ffffcc;"> </span><strong><span style="color:#330033;">a good laugh</span></strong> to future grandchildren someday. </div><div>
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<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I have always said<span style="color:#ccffff;"><strong> <span style="color:#663300;">running a marathon is a lot like having a baby</span></strong></span><span style="color:#663300;">.</span> One of my first thoughts when I crossed that finish line was, <em>"WHY oh WHY would anyone EVER do this more than once?!!!"</em> I think I recall thinking those same thoughts after delivering my first son. We had only been home from the marathon for 30 minutes when I looked Dave straight in the eye and told him to <strong><span style="color:#003300;">NEVER EVER</span></strong> under any circumstances <strong><span style="color:#000066;">let me do this again!</span></strong> Words that I'm sure have been spoken in more than one labor and delivery room. But as I look at the long journey as a whole and remember the pride and joy, and the overall amazing experience...I've been thinking to myself, <em>"Well, maybe just one more..."</em> It has barely been two weeks and I just registered and paid today for the <span style="color:#ffff00;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Ogden Marathon in May!</span></strong></span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Yep, it's true. As they say,<em><span style="color:#6600cc;"> </span><span style="color:#333300;">"Running is a mental sport - and we're all insane!"</span></em> This pretty much confirms that.</div><div>
<br /><span style="color:#000000;">It was definitely a </span><span style="color:#330099;"><strong>life changing experience</strong></span> for me. I guess the best way to describe it is a feeling of empowerment. <strong><span style="color:#006600;">I feel empowered</span></strong> now knowing that because I was able to endure this, there is nothing I can not endure. I feel like I have accomplished one of the most challenging tests not only physically, <span style="color:#000066;"><strong>but maybe even more so mentally</strong>,</span> that I will ever do. I have already noticed that when things get hard either physically (like trying to run five miles the other day while still feeling the painful after effects of the marathon), or mentally (like tackling a huge mess -aka flooded basement last week), that<strong><span style="color:#999999;"> </span><span style="color:#003300;">I have more strength</span></strong> to carry on. I am sure it will carry over into all aspects of my life. I am definitely not the same woman that started the race. I now know deep down that <span style="color:#330000;"><strong>I am able to keep going even when I want to quit more than anything</strong>.</span> I may have to<span style="color:#ffff00;"><strong> dig deep</strong></span> - really deep- to find the courage and strength to keep going forward, but it's there when I reach for it. It is a great feeling of security to know I have that inside me. </div><span style="color:#993399;"><strong><div>
<br />I CAN DO HARD THINGS!
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<br /><div>That is what we are trying to teach the youth in our church. We can all do hard things. There is more inside each of us than we even realize. And the good news is, <strong><span style="color:#330033;">we don't even have to run a marathon</span></strong> to discover it. Life has a way of bringing that out in each of us when we least expect it.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JQp6OtzsvAnkqptwbSTfE_r8j9jaddxVviAiIADfLLjRT6-hDIBK2blS9n1lI61gp2m8Qkj9duH6w0CuHQqgnbG3sLT6NT3bD9PWYOsrbokul414Geq-qdFdxT4JbXrrexaVFG-jDHlk/s1600/marathononon.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JQp6OtzsvAnkqptwbSTfE_r8j9jaddxVviAiIADfLLjRT6-hDIBK2blS9n1lI61gp2m8Qkj9duH6w0CuHQqgnbG3sLT6NT3bD9PWYOsrbokul414Geq-qdFdxT4JbXrrexaVFG-jDHlk/s400/marathononon.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><div>Running a marathon is loaded with<span style="color:#ff99ff;"><span style="color:#003300;"> <strong>life lessons</strong></span>.</span> Maybe someday I will write a post on just a few of them<span style="color:#6633ff;"><strong>.<span style="color:#663366;"> The analogies are endless</span></strong></span>. But the one I will take with me forever is that no matter how hard things seem...how painful they become... there is always something left inside to make it through. And you don't have to do it alone. <span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>There will be angels sent to help you on your journey</strong></span>, no matter how long or how hard.<span style="color:#000099;"> <strong>You are never alone.</strong></span>
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<br /></div></span><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"><div></span></div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#330099;">One last thing...</span></strong>This will be the <strong><span style="color:#000066;">POINT TWO</span></strong> of the post. Yep, just when you thought it was finally over...there's more! As most of you know, whenever I see a<span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong> <span style="color:#330033;">penny or coin</span></strong></span> laying somewhere, I always pick it up knowing it is a<span style="color:#6666cc;"><strong> <span style="color:#000066;">hello from Tyson</span></strong></span>. I wrote a post about it<a href="http://jodibeacon.blogspot.com/2010/04/pennies-from-heaven.html"> <span style="color:#996633;">HERE</span></a> if you are interested. Knowing that I dedicated this marathon to Tyson and ran it in his memory, I fully expected to<span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong> <span style="color:#003300;">find at least ONE</span></strong></span> penny or coin. I was a bit disappointed when I didn't. I am however very grateful I didn't see one during those last four miles because if I had reached down to pick it up, I am pretty sure I would have <strong><span style="color:#663333;">stayed in that position permanently!</span></strong> I mentioned it to Dave one night and the very next day, I was reading some status updates on Facebook and one person wrote how she kept seeing the numbers <span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">444</span></strong> </span>everywhere lately and asked if anyone knew if it meant something. One of the comments someone left was that those numbers mean<strong><span style="color:#ffffff;"> angels are surrounding you at that moment</span></strong>. I immediately got chills when I read that because my time was <em>4:44</em>. Of course I googled it and read more about how those numbers mean angels are near and that three fours always represent angels.
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<br /><span style="color:#003333;">♪♫*Enter Twilight Zone music* ♫♪
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<br /><div>I am not one to believe in a lot of that superstitious stuff or get into the realm of weirdness associated with it, BUT the feeling I had when I read that confirmed to me that it was Tyson's way of letting me know<span style="color:#ffffcc;"><strong> <span style="color:#000066;">he was there by my side the whole way</span></strong></span><span style="color:#000066;">.</span> And especially when I crossed that finish line. Did I mention this was a life changing experience?
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<br />For you bud...</strong></span>
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<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff00;"><strong>I just ran 26.2 miles and all I got was this thermo-nuclear glowing shirt!!!
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<br />I THINK NOT!!! ↓</strong></span>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv83AOgIOFhIbpM6zkSGBudMD7Lw7NWS47qVf356Lvrf6y5YTRpA5RGu80oC2TwlKYzrNl_48poTpyixc04idw0LPjn7WphJZTaEzpw0tistanpIQaxum998Hz2CW_sP8BVryhvXYqzNeA/s1600/258923734v4_480x480_Front.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524957423975423122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv83AOgIOFhIbpM6zkSGBudMD7Lw7NWS47qVf356Lvrf6y5YTRpA5RGu80oC2TwlKYzrNl_48poTpyixc04idw0LPjn7WphJZTaEzpw0tistanpIQaxum998Hz2CW_sP8BVryhvXYqzNeA/s400/258923734v4_480x480_Front.jpg" /></a>
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<br />A MUST see!</strong></span></p>↓</span> <p><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>It will feel better when it quits hurting! </strong>
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<br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6666;">"ONLY THOSE WHO RISK GOING TOO FAR CAN POSSIBLY FIND OUT FAR ONE CAN GO." </span><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cccccc;">-TS Eliot
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<br />Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-10533753212604587312010-07-05T15:49:00.005-06:002010-07-05T16:02:12.205-06:00Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay 2010Two weekends ago I ran AND survived the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay.</span><br /></strong></span><br />The Wasatch Back is a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>188 mile</strong></span> relay that begins in Logan and ends in Park City. You must run in a team of 12 and have two vehicles with six team members in each. <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;"><strong>Each member has three legs</strong></span> (Oh I wish I had THREE legs...it would have made it so much easier!) to run with distances from 3 to 9 miles each. My total mileage was almost 14 (thanks to an unexpected added 1/2 mile or so on my last leg.) There must be a member of your team <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>running at all times</strong></span> until you reach the finish line. Yes, that means <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;"><strong>running in the dark</strong></span> is part of the race. When you are not running you are in the vehicle at all times giving support to your runner. When your second vehicle is running their legs your vehicle can take a short break, usually two hours or so.<br /><br />I had been anticipating this race for over a year since I was asked to do it last year but had to back out due to an injury. Maybe <span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>anticipating</em> </span></strong></span>isn't the right word. The closer it got the less I was anticipating it and the more I was<em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><strong> fearing</strong></span></em> it. I have heard stories. And the closer it got the more stories I was hearing. Stories that made me question my sanity and intelligence. Stories that made me ask daily, <em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">"What have I got myself into?"</span></strong></em> Stories that made me wonder why I would want to put myself through 36 + hours of near non-stop driving and hard running with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;"><strong>no </strong></span>sleep, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;"><strong>no</strong></span> showering, and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"><strong>no </strong></span>flushing toilets with five other women crammed into a car that are also sleep, shower, and luxury commode deprived.<br /><br />But <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ffff;"><strong>NOW </strong></span>I know why I would put myself through it. Here's a<span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="color:#ffff33;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">few</span> </strong></span>reasons why:<br /><br /><ul><li>Friendship with other runners</li><li>Bonding with great women</li><li>A great sense of accomplishment</li><li>Realizing I am not the only crazy out there</li><li>Feeling an amazing sense of pride for my team</li><li>Watching and learning from the other women courage and perseverance under extreme circumstances that would try the best of us but seeing them hold on without giving up even once. (Natalie feeling sick and looking like death warmed over right before her last leg of 7 miles uphill and still doing it even though she did not want to. Jen making it through her tough 8 mile up-hiller in the killer heat with a hip injury and a smile on her face.)</li><li>The realization that running is also a team sport</li><li>Learning you can never have too many Wheat Thins or string cheese in a car of six women</li><li>The knowledge that you should never bring hair spray to a race even if you are having a very, very bad hair day</li><li>Gaining a testimony that Imodium is the best drug on the planet next to Celebrex</li><li>Coming to the realization that even though a starting time at 5 a.m. seemed like a major pain, we discovered we were the FIRST ones to use the Porta Potties!!! That's a serious plus!</li><li>Discovering I am pretty much the only human on the planet not hooked on Diet Coke or Pepsi</li><li>Learning I can go without chocolate for 36 hours when I am too tired to care...well I could have had it not been for the Peanut M&M's I found in my bag around hour 26. ☺</li><li>Getting the hint that my picture requests of extreme sleep deprived and sore team members does not put them in their happy place.</li><li>Discovering I have the ability to sleep (albeit for only 20 minutes) in a smelly high school gym full of other non-showered runners on only a wrestling mat and sleeping bag with background noise of zipping and un-zipping bags, coughing, people whispering, people talking loudly in the hall, and a large man snoring up a serious storm while another man who had finally had enough jumps up and yells, "REALLY?, Reaaaaaaalllly?"</li><li>The knowledge that doing hard things can also be a lot of FUN!<br /></li></ul><p>We met the night before to decorate the SUV ↓<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUiPRrKsavjUbbQTjHQhTX5r2e8zyixlj-aMDIwsajRO6SVNbTaXyjtXdZQ5EHaTU2KFseQmhj33-L8gRjMXJ2LWy7XX5lVIhF17tzcuZXyVpZdGpZ_xaXxVVTcmD89339bC7_K56m0M/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar12.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUiPRrKsavjUbbQTjHQhTX5r2e8zyixlj-aMDIwsajRO6SVNbTaXyjtXdZQ5EHaTU2KFseQmhj33-L8gRjMXJ2LWy7XX5lVIhF17tzcuZXyVpZdGpZ_xaXxVVTcmD89339bC7_K56m0M/s400/June+2010+Ragnar12.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2iG6tXLuj9SfejbDZnhV9jcuerg5memm6vSXcUCnmZGgrQTDCGL46Yk39XjC-aJwkDoD-cuHPT6t0ewt_sjS-6iw7y7UbqcAsLz5gvEQ9zIwYMhRMSHtV5JU_TvFDTAc55zNo2X8xYY/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar13.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2iG6tXLuj9SfejbDZnhV9jcuerg5memm6vSXcUCnmZGgrQTDCGL46Yk39XjC-aJwkDoD-cuHPT6t0ewt_sjS-6iw7y7UbqcAsLz5gvEQ9zIwYMhRMSHtV5JU_TvFDTAc55zNo2X8xYY/s400/June+2010+Ragnar13.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuxt62Yj391qmM8MlgR2UlwrnVKXC50Vh_WZN2VISkyfTQKoEK2yc-KKwu48AN9KXrg3Xti9UnTS6I3jOqpgt6egYHyPqS4hnqxc2D3fYixpERZyZPVVa4by5W6HYbwmm90hIMVwW5fw/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p></p><p><br />After we gear loaded, we carbo loaded even though we had to be up by 2:45 a.m.! We were getting a little punchy even before we were sleep deprived. Not a good sign...</p><p><br />We arrived at 4 a.m. Our team was one of the first to start off the race at 5 a.m.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7Np9HmnoIlLiohTvwEnxcmOZ2M3Y13bxtNMIs2YYVE2HRMG61qbSEUlDC5gcEvpty8Qp6IcI-L0XwNgtjE5tEmjuNLfnBbvF78LvnYbzo64qWjyrVOCmRU7rvuWS-Nqj_phyUl5z0e0/s1600/IMG_9155.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7Np9HmnoIlLiohTvwEnxcmOZ2M3Y13bxtNMIs2YYVE2HRMG61qbSEUlDC5gcEvpty8Qp6IcI-L0XwNgtjE5tEmjuNLfnBbvF78LvnYbzo64qWjyrVOCmRU7rvuWS-Nqj_phyUl5z0e0/s400/IMG_9155.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMYlgQgddk3I_k08YQ9SICcQYQt_UEAcbQRngbDW2fNkXBTQz62AjWbL_ig6lmelvEalgDfWocZHeMgQsdpb9YWruXxWGCmPUvrQax4SI9T97K5Nw3p1OqvozM8gkIlc_W1qxD3cFCn8/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar14.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMYlgQgddk3I_k08YQ9SICcQYQt_UEAcbQRngbDW2fNkXBTQz62AjWbL_ig6lmelvEalgDfWocZHeMgQsdpb9YWruXxWGCmPUvrQax4SI9T97K5Nw3p1OqvozM8gkIlc_W1qxD3cFCn8/s400/June+2010+Ragnar14.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEKfce9Ng6MK34qx1J8iWP3yoSeFQrdn-HlsvQ2uFRUemsWuxwrPFxQVbPaetzoKAbKyxztc4kFQ0MlxqZxitVgwij-qg-6X7lwudGRMQbSMZ4En-unLyvskZ4-ZQk8uvo97CWKg20gs/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar15.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEKfce9Ng6MK34qx1J8iWP3yoSeFQrdn-HlsvQ2uFRUemsWuxwrPFxQVbPaetzoKAbKyxztc4kFQ0MlxqZxitVgwij-qg-6X7lwudGRMQbSMZ4En-unLyvskZ4-ZQk8uvo97CWKg20gs/s400/June+2010+Ragnar15.jpg" /></a><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">One of the best parts of the race is seeing the crazy way people decorate their vehicles. To say it was entertaining would be a huge understatement.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxbf1QK9BURUU5RddJMkdOZeAPlN_GV4joKvYGJWbILZh-rSDVwpZExnbs_l_yuj1xd6nZnt9o_R10Yn-GGlEiUYos_t2D5c3jJH6C68QOkqLJc3zJHDGx_bS4JWwegHNdzM64raF14U/s1600/Collages117.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxbf1QK9BURUU5RddJMkdOZeAPlN_GV4joKvYGJWbILZh-rSDVwpZExnbs_l_yuj1xd6nZnt9o_R10Yn-GGlEiUYos_t2D5c3jJH6C68QOkqLJc3zJHDGx_bS4JWwegHNdzM64raF14U/s400/Collages117.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><br />Or the way they decorate themselves ↓</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxHiBYB5lpgTwjjXsi0hS5ESe92zBW1twcQoEXolAymx__2be3RVlinoVqHuM5hCkZ8CvKMcMkyR-34A1za1Dgmndo1rwUJCvEVB7rArNy_BJbAw9qnDJaALWFtrOnhu0cqDmZl6npqwp/s1600/IMG_9180.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxHiBYB5lpgTwjjXsi0hS5ESe92zBW1twcQoEXolAymx__2be3RVlinoVqHuM5hCkZ8CvKMcMkyR-34A1za1Dgmndo1rwUJCvEVB7rArNy_BJbAw9qnDJaALWFtrOnhu0cqDmZl6npqwp/s400/IMG_9180.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">We really like this guy. We bonded.☺And that's what it's all about..."bonding". His whole team was hilarious.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfBurva-aXjR77alqdWpex_8KZz06Ui2860YjJD_Xx1EDlewN2-bP_hyV_LbrESGDY5JCVWKqw12Jl72dBNmEbkOA8e3uFgU3SNdEnKUXishgRkxGWQG6koTPqACjyzyB_QrftoJduJ4/s1600/IMG_9179.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfBurva-aXjR77alqdWpex_8KZz06Ui2860YjJD_Xx1EDlewN2-bP_hyV_LbrESGDY5JCVWKqw12Jl72dBNmEbkOA8e3uFgU3SNdEnKUXishgRkxGWQG6koTPqACjyzyB_QrftoJduJ4/s400/IMG_9179.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj498ApC-LtCSMgsNNJ2fRPy8ofjw8DVjV4ghTQNJI8Tp9WycfrY7OOhi9B7VJvMdc5M8yzlmYadxCNZzjQ35wDDhKF4azzH-GTnw8_j6KulCy7sfZLqTAyxUGxS_4J-7MilmRE3qhzxuw/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj498ApC-LtCSMgsNNJ2fRPy8ofjw8DVjV4ghTQNJI8Tp9WycfrY7OOhi9B7VJvMdc5M8yzlmYadxCNZzjQ35wDDhKF4azzH-GTnw8_j6KulCy7sfZLqTAyxUGxS_4J-7MilmRE3qhzxuw/s400/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">My FIRST leg! It was 5.1 miles. It was my longest but not hardest. The temperature was still pretty cool.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJNN9pHqH6oXGsercuW44Qi7eHGlLRMqnB9QRoO6JjTDrvMXkeDJ-0oZeDryRLPwrHgbyilmtWnab6UffhBZXgmXqq6xiXvP4nOv7c6GBeUDETGwRcia54FKuX048JJSjvx-uh14tTn4/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJNN9pHqH6oXGsercuW44Qi7eHGlLRMqnB9QRoO6JjTDrvMXkeDJ-0oZeDryRLPwrHgbyilmtWnab6UffhBZXgmXqq6xiXvP4nOv7c6GBeUDETGwRcia54FKuX048JJSjvx-uh14tTn4/s400/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">I ran somewhere near Morgan.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://localhost:1071/d963f4308e1bce36d1667b546b1d8297/image/1fe36c1ccf0a1d7c.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC94m_dUPRj4GtmdAxbgwmCK_mu-f4isN9EhxLXc-pLdsgrSiBVHIyXB9041iQTzCXGFV-37eECiO08XYd4Wt4V2xBkLDQk7ossTcNL1740ZsmQuth1474LTHgbGvsUo-RiQxhQdY-uY/s1600/IMG_9174.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC94m_dUPRj4GtmdAxbgwmCK_mu-f4isN9EhxLXc-pLdsgrSiBVHIyXB9041iQTzCXGFV-37eECiO08XYd4Wt4V2xBkLDQk7ossTcNL1740ZsmQuth1474LTHgbGvsUo-RiQxhQdY-uY/s400/IMG_9174.jpg" /></a><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Support from my wonderful team-mate Jennifer ↑<br /><br />Heather, Jennifer, me, Jen ↓<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqtZvpvFI8SK6O_28rCqr7hG6ntAnwRHDSUtFgElljsotzuSVIeiFZ7YP7svxHXqx2K8jNF_2sfJCSOtQu8QRezjjAUadd5_3HGjacAHbPDD8HrfBAfd46mOhQNF4i7mhZaMn9MJJkac/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+015.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqtZvpvFI8SK6O_28rCqr7hG6ntAnwRHDSUtFgElljsotzuSVIeiFZ7YP7svxHXqx2K8jNF_2sfJCSOtQu8QRezjjAUadd5_3HGjacAHbPDD8HrfBAfd46mOhQNF4i7mhZaMn9MJJkac/s400/June+2010+Ragnar+015.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoIXCbOVxdFEkHiBifaz2Hf7NnMd_g1JS72x9YbbvlRaGWETp0aahe_ysA-fQjLuBPlGOYjZN4eO_1kp_DuS7RHPlkRYJGhutH6nu9_xhi_-YvIUe3n8GJT9gHdG3s1mP6VVquKHEfro/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoIXCbOVxdFEkHiBifaz2Hf7NnMd_g1JS72x9YbbvlRaGWETp0aahe_ysA-fQjLuBPlGOYjZN4eO_1kp_DuS7RHPlkRYJGhutH6nu9_xhi_-YvIUe3n8GJT9gHdG3s1mP6VVquKHEfro/s400/June+2010+Ragnar1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Like I said "very entertaining"!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yby9jWuJDLoifdqxQN3Vu0F7Yhh2feZs-5mJ7KtBJHTeAm0maOQRvFBkyUme9jPh4QbX3uVHxxhAj8Vg_lJs16XKGhEIU7mA4LlMW1ZhxsSBpVJeYs_uwmvsAn4cBxlcPw8k8uxhBIU/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yby9jWuJDLoifdqxQN3Vu0F7Yhh2feZs-5mJ7KtBJHTeAm0maOQRvFBkyUme9jPh4QbX3uVHxxhAj8Vg_lJs16XKGhEIU7mA4LlMW1ZhxsSBpVJeYs_uwmvsAn4cBxlcPw8k8uxhBIU/s400/June+2010+Ragnar2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br />Some of my favorite sights along the way ↓</p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjt2XD6n9bmxqhg6kuE3ZnkxVux5sk99aEzoJO6GwDGDKNzhJLbZY1dtMWcWKgWgKdX7Ug90JKHkOBfKWggtFEkZvuyadz1iC30-BukM5eZbet2PTdokLQrSUkUhfxO7GxEIgK2-n3EU/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjt2XD6n9bmxqhg6kuE3ZnkxVux5sk99aEzoJO6GwDGDKNzhJLbZY1dtMWcWKgWgKdX7Ug90JKHkOBfKWggtFEkZvuyadz1iC30-BukM5eZbet2PTdokLQrSUkUhfxO7GxEIgK2-n3EU/s400/June+2010+Ragnar.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid81QlJ_Nrpf3s-s3IpTlgHgcXhkQRxN16GvfVJjHIiqrEXK2HvvFU55rPDqjBN88LpOGYeMFh0cYKiW3-K8yZzayFt8l1XujhcxplqFhVX993XHoXhH5nWCb95GvL414uJNX2bk8DUG0/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid81QlJ_Nrpf3s-s3IpTlgHgcXhkQRxN16GvfVJjHIiqrEXK2HvvFU55rPDqjBN88LpOGYeMFh0cYKiW3-K8yZzayFt8l1XujhcxplqFhVX993XHoXhH5nWCb95GvL414uJNX2bk8DUG0/s400/June+2010+Ragnar3.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ_KKGQa6nR_HnO4hIBWKNmXe_CWBxLG_aR5NsZoxljFxvp9He6FZJmrA0hLA3Qxjqc61Br-ds-IeS5XOveHI2zm1lIIPmd4o2gseVRhm7IxI6zVE4PCMvjF2jBV0PwEhFuhhP_Ilh4A/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ_KKGQa6nR_HnO4hIBWKNmXe_CWBxLG_aR5NsZoxljFxvp9He6FZJmrA0hLA3Qxjqc61Br-ds-IeS5XOveHI2zm1lIIPmd4o2gseVRhm7IxI6zVE4PCMvjF2jBV0PwEhFuhhP_Ilh4A/s400/June+2010+Ragnar4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHIlqf9xrW8dCIcndQze10wk4xiyWGEWCKYefsPydRAtR_yisf4GPlpcGr7AgVe2iRL2wTmhHKawmj7ONKbeTN8MLk8nIkUQzf_bxUnAXV1_MP-u6rX1AOCaGMbpuvSS0FbLrL1-e6LI/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar16.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHIlqf9xrW8dCIcndQze10wk4xiyWGEWCKYefsPydRAtR_yisf4GPlpcGr7AgVe2iRL2wTmhHKawmj7ONKbeTN8MLk8nIkUQzf_bxUnAXV1_MP-u6rX1AOCaGMbpuvSS0FbLrL1-e6LI/s400/June+2010+Ragnar16.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yep that's ↓ a purple bikini on that van!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3l5dCirW7qXQ-m4kV_-QLd_t65oHtWqnp0HJK_EDTIoNukXTAWSIUQjYVIc4pNnFXuull127bpQ1sYT5rDfqPCvDlhaaZOI4ilRfQa4PtgtHgYt6n_OnWS_WNr-8gxeGhyphenhyphenxp9s9mH9c/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar6.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3l5dCirW7qXQ-m4kV_-QLd_t65oHtWqnp0HJK_EDTIoNukXTAWSIUQjYVIc4pNnFXuull127bpQ1sYT5rDfqPCvDlhaaZOI4ilRfQa4PtgtHgYt6n_OnWS_WNr-8gxeGhyphenhyphenxp9s9mH9c/s400/June+2010+Ragnar6.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a><br />Resting and eating after our first leg at Snow Basin.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1ZxSLWbVJDQZKpyt3EM__iPbkaa1RUkQT0qMyVs67P0uV3aYC0WhmzoLwNayQHCp7UZA8xDVNqsd9dw73JtiWLKQpZGq8PBI2nPYMEo9WamOK11-0WPWjEv8UFNdt89Br-_NdVZbOts/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+017.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1ZxSLWbVJDQZKpyt3EM__iPbkaa1RUkQT0qMyVs67P0uV3aYC0WhmzoLwNayQHCp7UZA8xDVNqsd9dw73JtiWLKQpZGq8PBI2nPYMEo9WamOK11-0WPWjEv8UFNdt89Br-_NdVZbOts/s400/June+2010+Ragnar+017.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTu48-COhTxzQYI8t9PkFmlzayxAvsa2HjB5ykWPCAKBl0fJEYa4Pnt6bx3un-o2aMGe9xAoEhfha4cfYsnizNons53GOfEBaF1DfHiORJOYiwA4ONeOPQixOuI73VaGhLSdRKLTfwFLA/s1600/IMG_9215.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTu48-COhTxzQYI8t9PkFmlzayxAvsa2HjB5ykWPCAKBl0fJEYa4Pnt6bx3un-o2aMGe9xAoEhfha4cfYsnizNons53GOfEBaF1DfHiORJOYiwA4ONeOPQixOuI73VaGhLSdRKLTfwFLA/s400/IMG_9215.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://localhost:1071/c0914f16af45b2484bc692533780eb6b/image/4e1352b297e5fab9.jpg"></a><a href="http://localhost:1071/2243854e4c4c789a63bc04671c529efd/image/3fec6030ba81f939.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJNN9pHqH6oXGsercuW44Qi7eHGlLRMqnB9QRoO6JjTDrvMXkeDJ-0oZeDryRLPwrHgbyilmtWnab6UffhBZXgmXqq6xiXvP4nOv7c6GBeUDETGwRcia54FKuX048JJSjvx-uh14tTn4/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix2.jpg"></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">Getting ready for my second leg. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrP6DAUWLJfPnHPwBEzndO43SUN32oiUk7n6_eMHiFIf7cc9DA4UhBP1lLIi90bO7MY4Exl6csvV-tc32Jc9uatgOm_TQzRT-O76-1nWYla5tc_EF7kNi1mMe-2_liC3w6BT3zYzNmGhk/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrP6DAUWLJfPnHPwBEzndO43SUN32oiUk7n6_eMHiFIf7cc9DA4UhBP1lLIi90bO7MY4Exl6csvV-tc32Jc9uatgOm_TQzRT-O76-1nWYla5tc_EF7kNi1mMe-2_liC3w6BT3zYzNmGhk/s400/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix3.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rNDK3AWT_5cMdKu5kUa3IEwoLZ4msy48N1YbpVTz4DU7MBFIZVotYFKxXz9ddTnce-cfqxCDXkZYJ3RPrPlwMSK1P_4pgcyFuILzu_RPOJkNDGLUtMSu3oYZ8aexSDV_KfeGud3wdiE/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix4.jpg"></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">This leg was only 4.2 miles but it was 82° and seriously hot. It was the first time all year I had ran in that kind of heat. My run was towards Avon Pass.<br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLkv_B22Z21fDXMxCgDBBfvFalfDtcYyu7cnK1_B9ZdDbsWoU3sHQtQW7LtgKevldzMaiJDnYkq4rXiQnxWWZZIIa2Cw0SQGiYmeLnLIJfFIqyyHXzdzZUnhNtM6IQLQ5IfhTuF4iSybj/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix6.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLkv_B22Z21fDXMxCgDBBfvFalfDtcYyu7cnK1_B9ZdDbsWoU3sHQtQW7LtgKevldzMaiJDnYkq4rXiQnxWWZZIIa2Cw0SQGiYmeLnLIJfFIqyyHXzdzZUnhNtM6IQLQ5IfhTuF4iSybj/s400/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix6.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">Mel waiting for me at the exchange↓</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs_C_RJGPNmuEQhAF3zU7X6FCtG4-fVpRNvqbFWd_Yv5c3Rsq2MI5vt74Aa57oicNUf5VUxSGdVOJkpGKmdsWcOmCnwAEeStyLqWV5dwwaItuQ9Jdh2nJKGOIayx-841DVV7Sw1QOUb3u/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix5.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs_C_RJGPNmuEQhAF3zU7X6FCtG4-fVpRNvqbFWd_Yv5c3Rsq2MI5vt74Aa57oicNUf5VUxSGdVOJkpGKmdsWcOmCnwAEeStyLqWV5dwwaItuQ9Jdh2nJKGOIayx-841DVV7Sw1QOUb3u/s400/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix5.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">I was sooooooooooo happy to see that exchange! Even happier I had made good time.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aq12bPoetJ_dKXaf_u5WHZYg70sUbcx0DXs9sLhhWdifdmEq9h4IbIVnJhb4PgTciWtoFbWYNNb8Yxy0Xraryhvsl7vNu8f1DQPf7-90J8hj1thtYVJ2uQDwt_E9eMk-X3Q_zGrMmBkU/s1600/Collages121.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aq12bPoetJ_dKXaf_u5WHZYg70sUbcx0DXs9sLhhWdifdmEq9h4IbIVnJhb4PgTciWtoFbWYNNb8Yxy0Xraryhvsl7vNu8f1DQPf7-90J8hj1thtYVJ2uQDwt_E9eMk-X3Q_zGrMmBkU/s400/Collages121.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rNDK3AWT_5cMdKu5kUa3IEwoLZ4msy48N1YbpVTz4DU7MBFIZVotYFKxXz9ddTnce-cfqxCDXkZYJ3RPrPlwMSK1P_4pgcyFuILzu_RPOJkNDGLUtMSu3oYZ8aexSDV_KfeGud3wdiE/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix4.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs_C_RJGPNmuEQhAF3zU7X6FCtG4-fVpRNvqbFWd_Yv5c3Rsq2MI5vt74Aa57oicNUf5VUxSGdVOJkpGKmdsWcOmCnwAEeStyLqWV5dwwaItuQ9Jdh2nJKGOIayx-841DVV7Sw1QOUb3u/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix5.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a>We saw these guys on Jen's second leg.<br /><a href="http://localhost:1071/c0914f16af45b2484bc692533780eb6b/image/af089c9a3946c855.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz61feZ5qlj2lMBFFWH8pKA79Hcdaq4p8B65Bja64wGUCxn-YoaQraNLmcgb-xW_yykXz_QLPAVuZTMssJwpDay57ABLYYHMnRKBVUpxLBeLG3LCSs9SLnGtdeAecB2_wvavweN9cynYQ/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar7.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz61feZ5qlj2lMBFFWH8pKA79Hcdaq4p8B65Bja64wGUCxn-YoaQraNLmcgb-xW_yykXz_QLPAVuZTMssJwpDay57ABLYYHMnRKBVUpxLBeLG3LCSs9SLnGtdeAecB2_wvavweN9cynYQ/s400/June+2010+Ragnar7.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKiHrPUVrJhWPy7xAzyysxOT59jaOk3n11uIeB8y-MmSCZq3amu-I42A8DU9EpA1fFDq7eCcUQZ_I4m1y0YNNTr3Gg1cNUrNYAu7TusuxCWBXwtEXt9FDkYZfDSGeky0eWwkAviN_l58/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar8.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKiHrPUVrJhWPy7xAzyysxOT59jaOk3n11uIeB8y-MmSCZq3amu-I42A8DU9EpA1fFDq7eCcUQZ_I4m1y0YNNTr3Gg1cNUrNYAu7TusuxCWBXwtEXt9FDkYZfDSGeky0eWwkAviN_l58/s400/June+2010+Ragnar8.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4paamLnCUn6Jd7d5Vcng4SkoDd9ZLotsZu8DF8IBchWjbfssgysZxeU0P_qSb7XfuDkyqLhos4K0z5kgIXs15EkT0mgJIyRpjYy3dqNHwUVTk6Ek575eOa0Bm54Z3e8JcUQn4hkzxeJ8/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar5.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4paamLnCUn6Jd7d5Vcng4SkoDd9ZLotsZu8DF8IBchWjbfssgysZxeU0P_qSb7XfuDkyqLhos4K0z5kgIXs15EkT0mgJIyRpjYy3dqNHwUVTk6Ek575eOa0Bm54Z3e8JcUQn4hkzxeJ8/s400/June+2010+Ragnar5.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">After our second legs we went to Summit High School to eat a spaghetti dinner and try and rest for a couple of hours.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yoRF1kwCFZlVL2sXIU704gam3YkWT8EMBjljoKp2cCW-532oBod5gMmjm0_gZhVbrlJYQ-gmICADCS3n4PDx7HYAA5wmA_5wAnYw3HPZstaasjxQmc2D6zLoj4lPLGWd9Nd0dot7beI/s1600/IMG_9248.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yoRF1kwCFZlVL2sXIU704gam3YkWT8EMBjljoKp2cCW-532oBod5gMmjm0_gZhVbrlJYQ-gmICADCS3n4PDx7HYAA5wmA_5wAnYw3HPZstaasjxQmc2D6zLoj4lPLGWd9Nd0dot7beI/s400/IMG_9248.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6wIjC3SmpTZ2KI4dSYdJnytbPd0ToGgDIrmR3p3KFF0FBSa_ZJhtODIo85FhoepLtYMfp6DlrS1EBajD-8Ut6i29IYik_cgD9-sFiA0rqTqK-Yo1_6eyO4ApATcZS9dvjgbPegL-_O8/s1600/Collages118.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6wIjC3SmpTZ2KI4dSYdJnytbPd0ToGgDIrmR3p3KFF0FBSa_ZJhtODIo85FhoepLtYMfp6DlrS1EBajD-8Ut6i29IYik_cgD9-sFiA0rqTqK-Yo1_6eyO4ApATcZS9dvjgbPegL-_O8/s400/Collages118.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"></div>Luckily we were one of the first groups to arrive at the gym so we had prime pick of where we wanted to crash. After eating and a lovely wet wipe bath, we tried to rest even though we only had an hour and a half. But even 10 minutes felt good to rest. We didn't get much sleep, if any, because if we weren't hearing the zipping and un-zipping of sleeping bags, we were hearing loud talk in the halls, and some guy snoring up a storm! He was going for it and finally one of the other guys that had finally had it and sat up yelling loudly, "REALLY? Reeeeeeaaaaaaaaally?" It was hilarious.<br /><br /><br />This was a common sight along the way. It looked like a bunch of body bags to me. I must admit there was a time or two that I would have welcomed a body bag!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuRixC9uvoIBDxnMp-wYsxQrk60Z_SbzSHaOgJvdkR8ik5pWTuW30JBFHOZzlERtPzaPwrqIFWkaRNcSKjbKL1EQp17U2uZzVKSVflZiLuLFLmltlN47Q5FikghrE_Qu-iTw2YrLwIeA/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar9.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuRixC9uvoIBDxnMp-wYsxQrk60Z_SbzSHaOgJvdkR8ik5pWTuW30JBFHOZzlERtPzaPwrqIFWkaRNcSKjbKL1EQp17U2uZzVKSVflZiLuLFLmltlN47Q5FikghrE_Qu-iTw2YrLwIeA/s400/June+2010+Ragnar9.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">The team names were so creative and funny. Here are some of my favorite ones:</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">(click to enlarge)</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gO-vE6EjRIklZG1ipusjM3P-O2g3GuHRV06PhwwGCQQXbpWl1UfoMVRaSSCy1tKuGleRS2tK3AqeRFvh0T76LK89XRQwh7UteB5gkfFT7tinCkouvB01ImswI_zTaemYqACG7GoF5ps/s1600/IMG_9163.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gO-vE6EjRIklZG1ipusjM3P-O2g3GuHRV06PhwwGCQQXbpWl1UfoMVRaSSCy1tKuGleRS2tK3AqeRFvh0T76LK89XRQwh7UteB5gkfFT7tinCkouvB01ImswI_zTaemYqACG7GoF5ps/s400/IMG_9163.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">The quotes on this van were great. Especially "Spandex is a privilege, not a right."</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOWKujnh-OeBLOkWTqjWSazVLaJKOvhoUcZNnTFTM-pSgVlYws5QzGhhJwiPXnbUfKESJByDqjKk92bhIrfRxWFgFAyoIsZALrb0ipIjXotk4VwXpMxrVv8TGgAlakrfR3I8Ve1uvdyQ/s1600/Collages120.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOWKujnh-OeBLOkWTqjWSazVLaJKOvhoUcZNnTFTM-pSgVlYws5QzGhhJwiPXnbUfKESJByDqjKk92bhIrfRxWFgFAyoIsZALrb0ipIjXotk4VwXpMxrVv8TGgAlakrfR3I8Ve1uvdyQ/s400/Collages120.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">Giving each other team support with water or whatever else was requested.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA16-mARFIxBfsB3MP6dOM-d0lF6ToOdyaZwNH0I_zh6er-A3MK1eZIa0NI5um9x4Y4jxGB6FTStqPDZZr95I76bDZtXFLFVyVEwmU4ZpSzWEmv7RFJGQCQFnnNYA47mSnRB42dTbwFm6X/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar19.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA16-mARFIxBfsB3MP6dOM-d0lF6ToOdyaZwNH0I_zh6er-A3MK1eZIa0NI5um9x4Y4jxGB6FTStqPDZZr95I76bDZtXFLFVyVEwmU4ZpSzWEmv7RFJGQCQFnnNYA47mSnRB42dTbwFm6X/s400/June+2010+Ragnar19.jpg" /></a><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">After we rested for a couple of hours, we had to head out once again for our third legs. We left the high school about 11:30 p.m. and met up at the next exchange by 1 a.m. Heather got to be first to run in the dark. ALL of us were required to wear reflective vests from 7:30 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. for safety reasons since in the Las Vegas Ragnar, two people were killed last year during the dark runs.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HXZKg5bIB1F2BKRYgzadR9QKQwWPBA67E-670tjlbOLPnJIN9wWbHReTLBd5d6RBXsmEJh3YqVTs9e2jluY-A5w5EUDTA4gpiOt2tGEQ3EZazH_m9zyqOlnYPv6TpFsVtmaAg3A4xDg/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HXZKg5bIB1F2BKRYgzadR9QKQwWPBA67E-670tjlbOLPnJIN9wWbHReTLBd5d6RBXsmEJh3YqVTs9e2jluY-A5w5EUDTA4gpiOt2tGEQ3EZazH_m9zyqOlnYPv6TpFsVtmaAg3A4xDg/s400/June+2010+Ragnar+-Jen%27s+pix.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">Even though we were more than excited to get our third legs over with, it still took all we had to push ourselves to feel motivated to do them. By this time we were extremely sleep deprived and our bodies had already put out so much for the first two legs. But everyone was a trooper and came through with flying colors...or maybe I should say flying reflective vests.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">My adrenaline got pumping about 20 minutes before my turn thankfully, and I was excited for this leg. It was 3.8 miles and a very steep downhill. I have not had a lot of experience in downhill running, but I knew it was going to feel good on the lungs even though it would pound the rest of my body. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFMASqPwdJ6HZahcObXrqq24aIBuagtBpBSsX7iZQsTOvxEh7kgPhkeyIaEu6SrV8kNMJ523xHhnv2PCWyb0ikP6pTCtb0QP5akPArixB90LvmTFo99IU_92CZAGg54IHCICdBwv5eqxk/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+048.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFMASqPwdJ6HZahcObXrqq24aIBuagtBpBSsX7iZQsTOvxEh7kgPhkeyIaEu6SrV8kNMJ523xHhnv2PCWyb0ikP6pTCtb0QP5akPArixB90LvmTFo99IU_92CZAGg54IHCICdBwv5eqxk/s400/June+2010+Ragnar+048.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">I ran down the <span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>Jordanelle Reservoir</strong></span> canyon. It was <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>VERY </strong></span>dark and quiet. I never even saw another runner the whole run on this one so it was kind of<span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong> spooky</strong></span> to be out there alone with just the <span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong>night time critters</strong></span>. The only noise was when our van or other team vans would pass by cheering me on. At one point I turned off my Ipod to just see what it was like. It was <span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>so quiet</strong></span> and spooky that I immediately turned it back on and cranked it way up! But I have to say this was <span style="color:#cc66cc;"><strong>my favorite leg</strong></span>. It was fun running downhill fast! I felt it for days after, but it was still fun!</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipxyjCgFPUqTEL4ndM2qyQ2JhaUJyJjVJPnGEzYU6wWL0h6t-ibcxvMbE8Pepr3wqxoM5fQ8TyA_3xMbQ3Q0AhT19lgqAdGsmfr9R2vTGPDfJEZpe7OvAQ27R8E_oxSl3vzaNQwGkSvfw/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar+049.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipxyjCgFPUqTEL4ndM2qyQ2JhaUJyJjVJPnGEzYU6wWL0h6t-ibcxvMbE8Pepr3wqxoM5fQ8TyA_3xMbQ3Q0AhT19lgqAdGsmfr9R2vTGPDfJEZpe7OvAQ27R8E_oxSl3vzaNQwGkSvfw/s400/June+2010+Ragnar+049.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div>When I came to where the exchange was supposed to be, I couldn't see any signs. I finally saw one that was by a very dark dirt road going uphill. My exchange was supposed to be on a flat area. I was <span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong>really confused</strong></span> if I should turn up the dark hill or keep going. Since there were no other runners in sight except one about 1/2 mile behind me, I kept going to where I could see a small red light. When I got there, the volunteer told me I had gone too far and <span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>missed my turn</strong></span> just like the other runners. She told me I would have to run up the hill about a half mile to the exchange that way. I told her that it was <span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong>NOT MARKED</strong></span> clearly and to please fix it before everyone did the same thing. I ran up the hairy hill but I was <span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong>not a happy camper</strong></span> knowing it was going to cost us time not to mention I wasn't<span style="color:#ffcccc;"><strong> mentally prepared</strong></span> for ending my long downhill with such a steep uphill. Once there my team was so happy to see me because they had been driving all over looking for the exchange too and lost me. I passed off to Mel, who also had to run an <span style="color:#3366ff;"><strong>extra half mile</strong></span> because the volunteers put the exchange in the wrong spot. We were told they later fixed it. Grr... We figure we lost about 10 to 15 minutes on our time. That was added to the other 15 or so we lost because one of our runners in the other van arrived at his exchange too soon and they <span style="color:#ffff66;"><strong>penalize you</strong></span> if you do that. So he had to sit and wait until the exact time he could cross the exchange. Overall our total time reflects about 30 minutes longer than we actually ran it.<br /><br />Once we all finished out last leg we were feeling like we were on our last leg and headed to Mel's sister house in Heber for a <span style="color:#ff99ff;"><strong>shower!</strong></span> She was so gracious to accomodate six sweaty, sleep deprived, weary women into her home at 6 a.m. on a Saturday! When we arrived she and her husband were cooking us a <span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong>HUGE breakfast</strong></span> with everything you can imagine! They were great. They even set up their hide-a-bed so we could rest if we wanted. We only had about an hour and a half before we had to meet the full team at the finish line in <span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong>Park City</strong></span> but we were so grateful to them for their hospitality!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvaNXuz0eTS19jjF1K2VXZq5tjYuhztjLRnwwJolnf3nPDKtBsLCelclczKV3c-27CR9Gb8SEciOlJKORhfG5i-HdaPIetEJXZkgEvurOXe2ktizbqK5XXK-3rvpGvnfPWrq-eeLoNQM/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar11.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvaNXuz0eTS19jjF1K2VXZq5tjYuhztjLRnwwJolnf3nPDKtBsLCelclczKV3c-27CR9Gb8SEciOlJKORhfG5i-HdaPIetEJXZkgEvurOXe2ktizbqK5XXK-3rvpGvnfPWrq-eeLoNQM/s400/June+2010+Ragnar11.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://localhost:1071/c0914f16af45b2484bc692533780eb6b/image/8f1a2170ce17a5db.jpg"></a><a href="http://localhost:1071/d963f4308e1bce36d1667b546b1d8297/image/1fcfb7457e410737.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Notice the hot air balloons in the background.<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sEKzv_GZ9n6nD42koFgs4qT7StFhhdM3K9Pojp9Lsk5qvQ_KynACdlFIxNYHSgoO4s9cY-LLhWXsJgXeXad8bk7qfcHQjRZwJ5KErUrhXYOaGzAnGnwBFGEiTSkwczVcwMKDxXAg0ck/s1600/IMG_9271.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sEKzv_GZ9n6nD42koFgs4qT7StFhhdM3K9Pojp9Lsk5qvQ_KynACdlFIxNYHSgoO4s9cY-LLhWXsJgXeXad8bk7qfcHQjRZwJ5KErUrhXYOaGzAnGnwBFGEiTSkwczVcwMKDxXAg0ck/s400/IMG_9271.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">After the third leg we changed our name to:</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-S3SCRmE_eyf8ma_jFIWHGJO5DWQtWEz_Qo9UojaaMq7L9JoiWgCJ4PAXr5wXQwIxVPVIaWmMXXs6cSWE7zSOXLoFRu_dEDKv4yC07Mfc1ikBKMgNzHAllaXAeT8yQYGplWDpne-P58/s1600/Collages119.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-S3SCRmE_eyf8ma_jFIWHGJO5DWQtWEz_Qo9UojaaMq7L9JoiWgCJ4PAXr5wXQwIxVPVIaWmMXXs6cSWE7zSOXLoFRu_dEDKv4yC07Mfc1ikBKMgNzHAllaXAeT8yQYGplWDpne-P58/s400/Collages119.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both">We kept track of our kills but we didn't even see hardly any runners on our 2nd and 3rd legs. A kill is when you pass another runner.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"></div><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a>We arrived at the Canyons in Park City and waited for our final runner in Van 2 to arrive so we could all cross the FINISH LINE together.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui1dmeiqGUcB_VQOnHcaM8aikhLfSoFobosAxUX_1d8zZXwVicvmilfw3c6spCUDTjVCnNiVCSSIKWNMhlrYino8Qb5DSKOCJbMRKb5U9cniBFf7OjGQmN0s-B27eJENqwUY669fcwRo/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar18.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui1dmeiqGUcB_VQOnHcaM8aikhLfSoFobosAxUX_1d8zZXwVicvmilfw3c6spCUDTjVCnNiVCSSIKWNMhlrYino8Qb5DSKOCJbMRKb5U9cniBFf7OjGQmN0s-B27eJENqwUY669fcwRo/s400/June+2010+Ragnar18.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3gtV08d_PRZz4gzGitw9_uYKV6jtnYjLhPOu_ndFKtCNLtI6651ovuKBJWQ5hyL02kGHHVO1eZ8Xthz1tH0j0oCnwFsciFaq1YRl8MiUo39LFhQsCVrwvhFtOZnGQwpqnEpKwRso428/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar17.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3gtV08d_PRZz4gzGitw9_uYKV6jtnYjLhPOu_ndFKtCNLtI6651ovuKBJWQ5hyL02kGHHVO1eZ8Xthz1tH0j0oCnwFsciFaq1YRl8MiUo39LFhQsCVrwvhFtOZnGQwpqnEpKwRso428/s400/June+2010+Ragnar17.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://localhost:1071/384b56d6aad50f9dff5441178699aad4/image/2c46528a93e83e07.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Our time was 29:29 but with the problems it was really more like 29:00. Still with the official time <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">we placed 146th out of 660</span> </strong></span>mixed teams!!! We were much faster than we had hoped for! <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Lips, Hips, and Asphalt</strong></span> rocks!<br /><br />We rode the tram down to our car and headed for home sweet home.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQK34bje-gqg5kfJ9DDcBa7Jz1WZZDHCRwA_jIwm_AJR4m5MqaMf0TxswadlZsFh1V1WkguXvIuD_s_WNGmqJEsZ3DUZYjDqNCU5cNL5cffdUSTyJwKGq2WUe2ayHkHnk6N7kqTF5R0Q/s1600/June+2010+Ragnar10.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQK34bje-gqg5kfJ9DDcBa7Jz1WZZDHCRwA_jIwm_AJR4m5MqaMf0TxswadlZsFh1V1WkguXvIuD_s_WNGmqJEsZ3DUZYjDqNCU5cNL5cffdUSTyJwKGq2WUe2ayHkHnk6N7kqTF5R0Q/s400/June+2010+Ragnar10.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Our full team with our medals.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gBIY_rgtPuJOlquFSNKSqPCvKMR0vQX-C8gdWea-5lVpLpo4zUC-LKu3OCmw7wgw9yId5YC1miAUuzsNrm0Cd7mWskTbdSs3N9Yc70I5F8ZDYbW20wPDifgiirEkIxppSOD31Uazp1A/s1600/IMG_9286.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gBIY_rgtPuJOlquFSNKSqPCvKMR0vQX-C8gdWea-5lVpLpo4zUC-LKu3OCmw7wgw9yId5YC1miAUuzsNrm0Cd7mWskTbdSs3N9Yc70I5F8ZDYbW20wPDifgiirEkIxppSOD31Uazp1A/s400/IMG_9286.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I've had several people ask me if I want to do it again next year. My response is always, <em>"That's like asking a woman who just gave birth if she wants to have more children."<br /><br /></em><em></em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>NEVER again...</strong></span> until next time! <span style="font-size:180%;">☺</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/100/9AB65D3FBBF4764D551319A914FA884B.png" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-381374751181343492010-05-04T14:37:00.000-06:002010-05-04T14:37:37.368-06:00Turkey (aka KILLER) Trot<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPoiy9KEFfDo0d1kMezMSPdmJBc_00H8rUX1y9GBCKV-EV-HI3DOu1TrwCrI-7wNEDPTR00dMm6LaNwp1zhkcIQaTw6v-_2mYItDYiaFXvdhVPXBuwjBx61pXs-w845DGCIlTlJ7-9Wo/s1600/TurkeyTrot.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 301px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407347618575147474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPoiy9KEFfDo0d1kMezMSPdmJBc_00H8rUX1y9GBCKV-EV-HI3DOu1TrwCrI-7wNEDPTR00dMm6LaNwp1zhkcIQaTw6v-_2mYItDYiaFXvdhVPXBuwjBx61pXs-w845DGCIlTlJ7-9Wo/s400/TurkeyTrot.gif" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_onx5XwU29fHLjpbdPHISWSciWr8-WvGWqaqhpY-Rl9q147OBTTgxiHlLgrGQsiURJChOoefQlEsOlgICs7ZPPdRsMMLW9qNb0_BpFnGGNKZ4kvnb7WvaZcs4DStGPJWVnIQZ2i0V7k/s1600/Oct-Nov+09+098.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_onx5XwU29fHLjpbdPHISWSciWr8-WvGWqaqhpY-Rl9q147OBTTgxiHlLgrGQsiURJChOoefQlEsOlgICs7ZPPdRsMMLW9qNb0_BpFnGGNKZ4kvnb7WvaZcs4DStGPJWVnIQZ2i0V7k/s400/Oct-Nov+09+098.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Ah...the Turkey Trot. This one I have done each year since I started this <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">insane sport of running.</span> It's <span style="color:#cccccc;">not</span> my favorite race because it's a four miler and the route is repeated twice. Oh, and the last mile and a half is up-hill. I always hate it when they do that! I wasn't going to run it this year because I haven't been running as many miles each day lately due to the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;">SWINE FLU</span> I had in October. I am surprised how hard it has been to come back lung wise from that dang flu. So, I have been taking it pretty easy and only running about two-three miles. I have also done a lot of power walking when I didn't feel up to running. Last week when I ran, I thought I was going to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">kill over</span> on a three miler and so I decided to NOT do the Turkey Trot this year. But on Thursday I got in a really good four mile run and felt good so I decided to go for it. Besides, the prizes are awesome! You win a <span style="color:#cc9933;">turkey</span> for 1st place and <span style="color:#ff9900;">Pumpkin Pie</span> for placing 2nd to 5th (Ithink) in your age division.</span></em></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAU9BsvEQUIBwDV5Z3mLd8H4Zv6VsV7k_5Jn3jxWKDkxObhwrU8SGV-qBMAg2bQz90oFkbnRe9UrkVRV-tga0l1BoD7zNqraD2qGe9XjOSkUHhy53KPwb6BjbEng30Gfnys10_cR-2bk/s1600/turkey+trotttt.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAU9BsvEQUIBwDV5Z3mLd8H4Zv6VsV7k_5Jn3jxWKDkxObhwrU8SGV-qBMAg2bQz90oFkbnRe9UrkVRV-tga0l1BoD7zNqraD2qGe9XjOSkUHhy53KPwb6BjbEng30Gfnys10_cR-2bk/s400/turkey+trotttt.jpg" /></a><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;">I was disappointed my Ipod's battery was dead but besides that everything was going great for the first two and half miles. That's when a lady in my age group passed me. It wouldn't have been so bad but I was in the lead for my age group as far as I could tell and I knew that was my turkey <span style="color:#ffcc33;">gobbling right away from me </span>as she ran past. The same thing happened last year! And in the exact same spot! Last year I tried and tried to catch up and pass the thief, but to no avail. My turkey ran away from me right before my eyes. Therefore, <span style="color:#ffcc33;">I was more determined than ever</span> to not allow that to happen again. The woman passed me when we were on our last downhill patch of the race, just before we turned the corner to run the remaining mile and half <span style="color:#ffcc00;">UP</span> hill! But that didn't seem to register in my brain at the time. All I was thinking about was taking that turkey home this year. So I pushed it and I pushed it until I pushed my way right past her. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Big</span> </span>mistake. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;">I even got a pretty good lead on her. The next thing I knew my body was telling me in NO uncertain terms that <span style="color:#ffcc00;">I was an idiot!</span> Feeling that pain, I knew it was right. This is usually a pretty easy race for me. I was surprised that my body was telling me to STOP running and walk. Walking in a race is something that I have prided myself on never doing. For some silly reason <span style="color:#ffcc00;">I don't feel like qualify as a real runner</span> if I walk even a few steps in a race. Totally dumb I know. Welp, this time, I really had no choice. I had a killer side ache and my lungs were screaming for me to stop...that is nothing new really and I usually can just run through the pain until it subsides some, but this time I had weakness in my legs and arms and felt really light headed as well. Every part of my body was yelling at me to stop and walk before I collapsed. <span style="color:#ffcc00;">I was really hurting</span>. I gave it all I had until I finally had to stop and walk or I knew I would be laying on the pavement. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;">No sooner had I done so when I saw my <span style="color:#ffcc00;">turkey thief</span> run right past me again. At that point, I didn't care. I was trying to recover but it wasn't happening. The next thing I knew my two good friends Jen and Heather had caught up to me and were by my side asking me if I was okay. They stopped running and walked with me. I explained to them what was going on and to <span style="color:#ffcc00;">pleeeeeeeeease</span> go on ahead and keep running. They just kept encouraging me and walking with me. Heather told me to run through the pain. I told her that was usually doable, but it wasn't happening today for some reason. Just then another one of my friends, Jody, drove slowly past us with her camera. She yelled out, <span style="color:#ffcc00;">"What are you walking for? This is a race!"</span> She started taking pictures of us and so for the sake of the photo we knew had to start running again.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;">We still had about a mile to go - <span style="color:#ffcc00;">UP</span> hill of course! As I ran I honestly didn't think I would survive that mile. I was still hurting bad, but I kept pushing it and held on to Jen and Heather's pace. I think that mile was <span style="color:#ffcc00;">one of the hardest things</span> I have done in my life. If it hadn't been for my friends, I know I would have walked most of that mile. But with them by my side, I knew I could do it....maybe ---- somehow. I also knew if I stopped again that they would too and I was not going to allow that. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;">It was getting progressively harder with each step. I was feeling agony in so many ways.<span style="color:#ffcc00;"> I dug deep</span> and somehow found the strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other. And then... there she was! <span style="color:#ffcc00;">My turkey thief!</span> Right in front of us. We had caught up to her! I received a burst of strength at that moment. As I ran past her, I was feeling like I might cross that finish line after all! </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;">I kept repeating to myself the mantra, <span style="color:#ffcc00;">"I can do hard things!"</span> It gave me what I needed to keep going. We were close now. As we turned the final bend we could see the finish line. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;">What a sight for sore eyes....legs, arms, lungs, head, knees, feet, heart!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;">Jen's daughter Abby ran up to us and encouraged us to the finish line with her chants of, <span style="color:#ffcc00;">"Go Mom beat Jodi"</span> over and over. She eventually switched to "Go Jodi beat Mom!". That was exactly what we both needed to hear to get us to sprint to that line. </span><span style="color:#ffcc00;">We crossed the finish line together. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;">I am not sure the last time I felt such a <span style="color:#ffcc00;">huge relief</span> as I did at that moment. I tried to get my race sticker off so they could write my time down but I was unable to remove it. One of the race volunteers had to remove it for me. As soon as they did, <span style="color:#ffcc00;">I dropped to the ground.</span> That is a big no-no and I knew I needed to just walk until I had cooled down but I had nothing left to give. I was unable to stand let alone walk. At most races they provide water after the race, but not so this time. I could have used some water. I could have used a stretcher too! I <span style="color:#ffcc00;">recovered quickly</span> though and was feeling completely normal within a few minutes. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;">The best part of all was I took <span style="color:#ffcc00;">FIRST PLACE</span> in my age division and WON that blasted turkey after all! Woot-woot! Or should I say, <span style="color:#ffcc00;">"gobble- gobble!"</span> Even better was my age division was the largest and so they ended up dividing it into two groups when they gave out the awards. I was, of course, in the <span style="color:#ffcc00;">older </span>half, but I still took first in both. I still do not know where the strength came from that took me across that finish line. But I know one thing for certain, I will never doubt again that...</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">I CAN DO HARD THINGS!</span> </span></em></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4MzKBDNvs_QI5MA_-MKZGbem655qgyEj3qds5GJ8CPh9bgDlXJXcNGPHVqO5BXcPz3cjtSLbI5Sa2UH3XzvC7HR1BmedWxCqRZ4c7qtaO40zJM-3PNGVb7l6a-8D-OXsUPPoKGAKlbE/s1600/130.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 163px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407348772128987282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4MzKBDNvs_QI5MA_-MKZGbem655qgyEj3qds5GJ8CPh9bgDlXJXcNGPHVqO5BXcPz3cjtSLbI5Sa2UH3XzvC7HR1BmedWxCqRZ4c7qtaO40zJM-3PNGVb7l6a-8D-OXsUPPoKGAKlbE/s200/130.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>Starting to run again for sake of this photo! ↓ That is the biggest fake smile slapped on my face! The last thing I felt like was SMILING!</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVzG_ZxbTIiDg9qPy5VhYSavgcnKeBv0uv2kTUej79fJwzyKN53G4fg0zPB-xgZFnMKgDEX06tnWA67byPY43FS6QkPt0woFLmRMCFa8EFxvvD63X7eRIAJNl0RnjEVPXq2s5yTMGpnM/s1600/DSCF2526.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVzG_ZxbTIiDg9qPy5VhYSavgcnKeBv0uv2kTUej79fJwzyKN53G4fg0zPB-xgZFnMKgDEX06tnWA67byPY43FS6QkPt0woFLmRMCFa8EFxvvD63X7eRIAJNl0RnjEVPXq2s5yTMGpnM/s400/DSCF2526.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>Me and Jen nearing the finish line. Her daughter Abby and friend Maddy are cheering us on. The near turkey thief is in the rear with the sunglasses. Heather is in front of us.</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4Kf52g_boGrpO34Vw06Ri7fyriFa3unFrGPbaTAzXMQIWBsFbmlTQGXJok4yh0dJ-icVGLp2obI1cb12-evH790fGaVxAkPLXM4z3da_DiHBn5kkp6fhFL6l65NytDkNmhyphenhyphenFzNtqCQM/s1600/DSCF2527.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4Kf52g_boGrpO34Vw06Ri7fyriFa3unFrGPbaTAzXMQIWBsFbmlTQGXJok4yh0dJ-icVGLp2obI1cb12-evH790fGaVxAkPLXM4z3da_DiHBn5kkp6fhFL6l65NytDkNmhyphenhyphenFzNtqCQM/s400/DSCF2527.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong>We are almost there!!! WHAT? I'm smiling again? I think I was SO happy the end was in sight! Or maybe it's that I knew the potential turkey thief was not going to gain on us now! lol There she is in the back still trying to steal MY turkey! Ha-ha</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLd_lWcVyllbu5dGZyFLKsvwVrfy5AxlT6y8KIzCXFUaH0tFN60V6udmkqHzIXqtyC6a8MuLg450gaogW2DtePESNGlCPvAAPV5-SqC0oxNiMPF5H0aazXRHBqCAmqggITzdKFpBgohc/s1600/DSCF2528.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLd_lWcVyllbu5dGZyFLKsvwVrfy5AxlT6y8KIzCXFUaH0tFN60V6udmkqHzIXqtyC6a8MuLg450gaogW2DtePESNGlCPvAAPV5-SqC0oxNiMPF5H0aazXRHBqCAmqggITzdKFpBgohc/s400/DSCF2528.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>WE did it!!! My TWO good samaritan friends!!! Thank you guys!!!</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4NoY-lVdgQ8kDmaVIS73-uJjGow0NHqx_pFZshbZ668jeWbHaWPMpPc-SkDtONg-YyctV6WA6SR_Cmps4jFJFjFsG0ZQ5GDPhFM6sVvWOf-snvkHFcRALSkLV60Kuoa_KFBiigt29CE/s1600/Oct-Nov+09+100.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4NoY-lVdgQ8kDmaVIS73-uJjGow0NHqx_pFZshbZ668jeWbHaWPMpPc-SkDtONg-YyctV6WA6SR_Cmps4jFJFjFsG0ZQ5GDPhFM6sVvWOf-snvkHFcRALSkLV60Kuoa_KFBiigt29CE/s400/Oct-Nov+09+100.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><strong>Accepting my prize! The turkey is mine!!! I worked hard for that sucker!</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghId3eAkBt6dbP3uVtYrt-h_HrGHXmuXJC26hYL78837STSPkbC-yINp98qbLSyDrH6t30MHG0kYf-0LpyoMZvcAFLXWdmoj30sOjzmEZZntc_1A2FbINT63LgMlxC5OItPVNfs7hP9xc/s1600/Oct-Nov+09+101.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghId3eAkBt6dbP3uVtYrt-h_HrGHXmuXJC26hYL78837STSPkbC-yINp98qbLSyDrH6t30MHG0kYf-0LpyoMZvcAFLXWdmoj30sOjzmEZZntc_1A2FbINT63LgMlxC5OItPVNfs7hP9xc/s400/Oct-Nov+09+101.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNRXl5dfDIKBkFGZAO0laYMsfIipA4uRobsgFpTDRIaXcut-_fEr7dE3sxsad56omDpaIzWHyo2gyoDzGmFfQO3JrevyQfXihqRM_GT0qpf4oQKIoR_SGaA0ysP0sMXWtFJyeeAOJde8/s1600/Oct-Nov+09+103.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0fhk0sJNnjaTAXrN2dnJHSYe8e6waF3R37KLFPAfYLbLzBOFaNA3M5JvFDZpqWyiELtw65kbsNalwrLZ_ksED-ht3cZex4qTvuC7jXEFAVdiHRk8pXAT9yvVXz3rr_MC43I588GgreU/s1600/turkey.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 199px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407347957751220002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0fhk0sJNnjaTAXrN2dnJHSYe8e6waF3R37KLFPAfYLbLzBOFaNA3M5JvFDZpqWyiELtw65kbsNalwrLZ_ksED-ht3cZex4qTvuC7jXEFAVdiHRk8pXAT9yvVXz3rr_MC43I588GgreU/s200/turkey.gif" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oQzlgBJbjHv3xamUtblu7RvRwAuCyrKzTPA3PXTYaBOdPQgwsVnYGV-qrsZQu3wYkHGZtFSmvOwkYIhZNH2vOIiIW4aO8qmz6Mr9kNK_hBux-KKIhKOP77xTSovPWqQtSyfvNqxCOQY/s1600/Oct-Nov+09+107.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaya17Vx3WEwmSIlkR9YRApF1qEsmIQq3fumTNSxh8BwOC3osRpDvDMEQLS2aH9toidknsqLSaJWZ1PLIY_ypUUICoqYuWM4ktI3OfITvZ0YjukUxOOUKIsvzDLtm2yqpKLaoyHkN51NI/s1600/Oct-Nov+09+106.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>Our a- "WARD" winning team! The cute kids ran the kid's 2 miler and they did awesome. Those are pumpkin pies they are holding. Cute Maddy got 1st and won a turkey too! Jen and Heather placed 2nd and 3rd in their age division (a much younger one than mine) and won pies! We could have had a ward party with all that food!</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmoIxyxvJS2EPRocfwUyLnpYnTUkCZ7jTszWkPwiY9FRJM76iEVbIVwH1ynPxYWrbz_EofI7-3m7HEHI3qtJpRoRPyg3DWEbyZqaOm_WvrH87mF4F-c3B2gWdDtpJRQCtjdF4V8OqS4s/s1600/Oct-Nov+09+105.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmoIxyxvJS2EPRocfwUyLnpYnTUkCZ7jTszWkPwiY9FRJM76iEVbIVwH1ynPxYWrbz_EofI7-3m7HEHI3qtJpRoRPyg3DWEbyZqaOm_WvrH87mF4F-c3B2gWdDtpJRQCtjdF4V8OqS4s/s400/Oct-Nov+09+105.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBys8LdAvxT_OqgiZykX76ZaUVhG54hEz0D-oZVV-UxcPJunrTLM4XChhoTM4P2xPIs82EfytqXvIKQ2kg84HkO1l9S_hAGXfVriWbHb5ets9E_-dsWmUEPeK3zw6nxf_vPZc39S6ZX4A/s1600/Turkey-Trot-Logo.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 125px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 112px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407347626859123842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBys8LdAvxT_OqgiZykX76ZaUVhG54hEz0D-oZVV-UxcPJunrTLM4XChhoTM4P2xPIs82EfytqXvIKQ2kg84HkO1l9S_hAGXfVriWbHb5ets9E_-dsWmUEPeK3zw6nxf_vPZc39S6ZX4A/s400/Turkey-Trot-Logo.gif" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>Gotta love this butterball! Although McKay was very disappointed I didn't bring home a pumpkin pie like I have every other year from this race. Maybe next year... Nah! I am going for the turkey again if it kills me!</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZsG20ZstOvUr92GxU7DwxEGP-xgGCytLxJTHFka_MmpdNyzwShLl9I2qd_J_oj-Ou4fyYUP-OycIaQeSTKtEDMrO8KeROqFX_-UuVryDLF-1yrLosewtkv11Rc0oDObLQz4bC3k9GiY/s1600/Oct-Nov+09+102.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZsG20ZstOvUr92GxU7DwxEGP-xgGCytLxJTHFka_MmpdNyzwShLl9I2qd_J_oj-Ou4fyYUP-OycIaQeSTKtEDMrO8KeROqFX_-UuVryDLF-1yrLosewtkv11Rc0oDObLQz4bC3k9GiY/s400/Oct-Nov+09+102.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong>My sweet and <em>very</em> thoughtful husband Dave gave me a bouquet of flowers for winning. He's the man!</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIo7w9QcLzVeQ83UDMjJBJuwLmeNnugoE2ctEElbT5uZxBrcS7au_8HPdn2qblu_4hT-fAK3pTFPUtc61La37J8a6s2gsonMTcMND-aHxzPhyphenhyphenRYaL99d4Hd9s1-ZeF3jiSPtdjTUFhY5Y/s1600/Oct-Nov+09+108.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIo7w9QcLzVeQ83UDMjJBJuwLmeNnugoE2ctEElbT5uZxBrcS7au_8HPdn2qblu_4hT-fAK3pTFPUtc61La37J8a6s2gsonMTcMND-aHxzPhyphenhyphenRYaL99d4Hd9s1-ZeF3jiSPtdjTUFhY5Y/s400/Oct-Nov+09+108.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR-8JxzQJpL5d8YvMUexwf6CEG9fqiE0CQKJpIHmYy-s5rCYevKXwE_UZ4avjDGKyyBv-V6LENsOfaN6CnR8cmHjHe3HuAWYO4BsMONWV2LI3ig7z-L7lhQD5cbgL19rYxDZhzVd0XxI/s1600/130.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkabaNB7G46r9nU6Ialg3f8V8cQX6_9M_WgekHW1FdQxVDcZTMfrtlYpXsLsRWuvFDbTsbPCRgs0hrP2OAg3q05-bR5XRYQYziQ-DdsDCBhPUyYlXA0ywd6pMxFnvXCsgiK6GAQsrMaho/s1600/sample-45.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkabaNB7G46r9nU6Ialg3f8V8cQX6_9M_WgekHW1FdQxVDcZTMfrtlYpXsLsRWuvFDbTsbPCRgs0hrP2OAg3q05-bR5XRYQYziQ-DdsDCBhPUyYlXA0ywd6pMxFnvXCsgiK6GAQsrMaho/s400/sample-45.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>My next race is the <span style="font-size:180%;">SANTA RUN</span> next week! I am sooooooooooooooooooo excited for this one I can hardly stand it! Everyone dresses up like Santa (you receive a Santa hat, shirt, and beard with registration) for the entire run. There are helpers (elves) along the way serving milk and cookies at the aid stations. I can not wait! Jen and Heather are also doing this one with me. We are wearing matching Santa pants and red and white stripped socks. It's all about FUN!!!!! <span style="font-size:180%;">HO HO HO!!!!</span></strong></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl6hbUuFFiIOGfXPND2Np1DlQnQStnAnz9xuXyQTktMlI3WfyENshxwSfz3_cW17ubQ-phWFwncHLTu0tRFQ26iolYBe27MjgIboqnbdcWdkdl6AzfMnqohi4l_7wpeZYYOCq2HDay3E/s1600/santarun2008.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl6hbUuFFiIOGfXPND2Np1DlQnQStnAnz9xuXyQTktMlI3WfyENshxwSfz3_cW17ubQ-phWFwncHLTu0tRFQ26iolYBe27MjgIboqnbdcWdkdl6AzfMnqohi4l_7wpeZYYOCq2HDay3E/s400/santarun2008.jpg" /></span></a></p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></p><p></p><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>This is a photo of last year's Santa Run from their website.↑</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>Here's a cute idea for Thanksgiving ↓ GOBBLE-GOBBLE!</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1hJBlWfdKx6KorH3CuFgadlVOvr1dD1a2SOBuiUUIMqp4lgxHMywi9AIfC450wyNXMd0_psppvb7hYXMN_dua0ro9eTetKusN1tOBKpLR4QIwvB-W3Tr0TkcbZEipAq92i9aL9l7U8k/s1600/turkeys.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407347631948655522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1hJBlWfdKx6KorH3CuFgadlVOvr1dD1a2SOBuiUUIMqp4lgxHMywi9AIfC450wyNXMd0_psppvb7hYXMN_dua0ro9eTetKusN1tOBKpLR4QIwvB-W3Tr0TkcbZEipAq92i9aL9l7U8k/s400/turkeys.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>They are made with Ritz crackers, candy kiss, frosting, candy corn, and a carmel. SO CUTE but SO EASY!!!!</strong></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc33;"><strong><em>HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!</em></strong></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/100/9AB65D3FBBF4764D551319A914FA884B.png" /></a><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-30050544525645604282010-05-04T14:27:00.002-06:002010-05-04T14:28:07.755-06:00Running Against the Wind...<span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>...and RAIN and SNOW and COLD! Basically MOTHER NATURE in general!</strong></span><br /><br /><strong>I know I shouldn't complain, and honestly I usually don't, BUT <em>really</em>.... here it is May, (yes <span style="font-size:180%;">MAY</span>!) and I am still wearing my winter clothes to run in. I have actually put them away about <span style="font-size:130%;">six different times</span> so far as Mother Nature and all her bipolar-ness has teased me time and time again with a warm day here and there. Which, of course, gets my hopes up thinking SPRING really is coming only to have them dashed (once again) by 30 degree temps and more snow, hail, or freezing rain. I think she needs some serious meds to help her control her vicious mood swings. I'll be speaking to the doc about that. </strong><br /><br /><strong>It really takes the fun out of running when you keep getting teased like that. Once I have run in warm sun and shorts (even once), it's ten times harder to even want to step out the door if it's not even above 35°! I guess that's why it's good I am in training for something because then I have no choice really. I don't own a treadmill (aka <em>dreadmill</em> to me) because part of the reason I love to run is being outdoors. I can handle winter weather WHEN IT IS WINTER, but not when it is SUPPOSED to be spring! Okay my venting is done...</strong><strong> <span style="font-size:85%;">mostly at least.</span></strong><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinF6O3F9VnyUU8uJ_IudTmzvViFRXTL-y65VJbSSSG9rMV1NRvFMxCSQk63yWkX-gRaaou2CHZQaYbj6_jYU6Fh-eSdiZJ0Z-03XvVUZj3p-G29dlMc-EgpR4Ks3uhsBYDv1RgbHNzfhQ/s1600/runnereeer.jpg"><span style="color:#cccccc;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467224610470082962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinF6O3F9VnyUU8uJ_IudTmzvViFRXTL-y65VJbSSSG9rMV1NRvFMxCSQk63yWkX-gRaaou2CHZQaYbj6_jYU6Fh-eSdiZJ0Z-03XvVUZj3p-G29dlMc-EgpR4Ks3uhsBYDv1RgbHNzfhQ/s200/runnereeer.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#cccccc;"><br /><strong>Since I wrote about last week's not so fun long run, I felt like I needed to write about this week's because it went much better... even though this isn't my running blog.</strong><br /><br /><strong>As I took off, I wasn't sure what kind of mileage I would get. <span style="font-size:180%;">11 miles </span>was my goal, but I wasn't feeling too great when I left and so I just told myself I would get in as many as I could. In my head I was thinking even five would suffice. The first two miles weren't too bad, but then the wind became out of control and I was fighting every single step. It felt like I wasn't even moving foward even though I kept stepping. It wasn't always a head wind, but even from the side it was very difficult to press on. I don't think I have experienced wind like that before. </strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>As I inched my way forward, I started to feel sick. By this time I was out in the boonies with the cows and horses and they didn't seem too interested in my dilemma so I just kept pressing forward. The wind was becoming almost too much to fight against. My ears were starting to really ache from the force of it and when it became too painful I turned around against it and jogged backwards. I had removed my outer jacket earlier and tied it around my waist, but I soon found a better use for it. ↓</strong><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveZZpzizYnCLfrR8uRE-HiuqXAHaHwwm86pkbTTe4f9ebnzE9abwpE0CCEDmArTHUBVpcLHG3XtsjusHl6Xm6m6P6cs9plNCvyTNHDGVzvgbEGw_f6ZwDG43RBWO4J0V2wC3xOSUyacc/s1600/0501101243e.jpg"><span style="color:#cccccc;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467265922685615138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveZZpzizYnCLfrR8uRE-HiuqXAHaHwwm86pkbTTe4f9ebnzE9abwpE0CCEDmArTHUBVpcLHG3XtsjusHl6Xm6m6P6cs9plNCvyTNHDGVzvgbEGw_f6ZwDG43RBWO4J0V2wC3xOSUyacc/s400/0501101243e.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#cccccc;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>This helped my earache immensely. And I didn't care what I looked like because I was on a barren road. I didn't think much of it until I ran past a horse and a cow and they just<span style="font-size:130%;"> starred</span> at me. Normally they just ignore me. The horse looked <span style="font-size:130%;">spooked!</span> He just starred... and then started to back up. When I came right up to the fence near him, he jumped up, and then back, and took off very fast while keeping his eyes on me. It was the funniest thing I've ever seen. He looked like he had seen a <span style="font-size:130%;">ghost!</span></strong><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrBU8PvjdsHm62-EE-5prJ__KR_R0rCH8obbt5T9eeiJ0u4zs_6wjA7aa3WdIucrdGa_hrfZkERtdWO8A6h11RVq3AaiT0aeUwrj2GLqrXthqdVarZUiYvCXhjcoy5W592OWGY8G_r2I/s1600/0501101245a.jpg"><span style="color:#cccccc;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467503938856267426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrBU8PvjdsHm62-EE-5prJ__KR_R0rCH8obbt5T9eeiJ0u4zs_6wjA7aa3WdIucrdGa_hrfZkERtdWO8A6h11RVq3AaiT0aeUwrj2GLqrXthqdVarZUiYvCXhjcoy5W592OWGY8G_r2I/s200/0501101245a.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#cccccc;"><br /><br /><strong>I am definitely NOT a horse whisperer...<span style="font-size:85%;">a ghost whisperer maybe. </span></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Or maybe the Running Nun?</strong><br /><br /><strong>I finally gave in to my stomach and tried to walk it off. I knew there was a bathroom and a water fountain about a mile away, so I kept going until I arrived. After that pit stop, I felt much better and set off again with a new wind...literally. It had really eased up. </strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzmkQs7P2FlsPuIzTtOOMhu-F2E978m6nHLUUanMvm_HYwVeSXhFrng5mImlfQ3PuFMHZqBklRGJbF3jehkNI503ISNneuicuXxfSCQunloU5W2YhRDpR0tTlJ005wdMoBnod1dF3T2Y/s1600/runner.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 170px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467224092432632738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzmkQs7P2FlsPuIzTtOOMhu-F2E978m6nHLUUanMvm_HYwVeSXhFrng5mImlfQ3PuFMHZqBklRGJbF3jehkNI503ISNneuicuXxfSCQunloU5W2YhRDpR0tTlJ005wdMoBnod1dF3T2Y/s400/runner.jpg" /></a> did make it my <span style="font-size:180%;">11 miles</span> and the last mile was the complete opposite of last weeks. The song <span style="font-size:180%;">"I'm Alive"</span> by Celine Deon came on my Ipod and so I cranked it up really loud. This song is my first choice for getting me through the worst pain or slump in running. It works every time. It is my favorite song to run to when I am nearing the finish line in my races. It gives me some kind of magical power to forget all the pain and aches and just sail through. My last mile is all uphill, including a pretty hefty one and I breezed right through it<span style="font-size:78%;"> (pun intended)</span>. I was hurting, but nothing like last week. In fact, I was sure I could have kept going if I needed to. </strong><br /><br /><strong>The best part was I didn't have ANY after effects. No soreness, no pain, no wanting to take a long nap. I didn't even need Advil! I felt great the rest of the day and I have ever since. I needed this good run to keep me motivated to keep training. The Ragnar countdown is on and this run gave me the confidence I am going to need to take the plunge. My time wasn't great due to the forced walking and gail force winds, but I did get the miles in and I am ready for more!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QI_OSSAZOa0qFS2DGGpbilzuhzcRB-ajNyaEzsnjUVivZJeVJblFYvKh_uQcegb7sl7GQa4ugBEQhMJI_p3WkyAswpyHQ-h3meOv5OUGVQdrDVrw9Pk3rVfCTMAp8q9qaxGDrvqbdGE/s1600/runner+1.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 173px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467224622133598082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QI_OSSAZOa0qFS2DGGpbilzuhzcRB-ajNyaEzsnjUVivZJeVJblFYvKh_uQcegb7sl7GQa4ugBEQhMJI_p3WkyAswpyHQ-h3meOv5OUGVQdrDVrw9Pk3rVfCTMAp8q9qaxGDrvqbdGE/s200/runner+1.png" /></a></strong><br /><br /><strong>I am just happy I didn't feel like</strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">←THIS</span> again after!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><em>Maybe</em> I'll make it after all...</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Wish me luck!</strong><br /></span><br /><br /><div><div><span style="color:#3366ff;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/100/9AB65D3FBBF4764D551319A914FA884B.png" /></a></div><div></div><div></div></div><div></div></div>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-48685205844655595512010-04-29T14:42:00.001-06:002010-05-04T14:43:55.883-06:00Pennies AND Twenties From Heaven!<p><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>If you haven't read my post <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66cccc;">"Pennies From Heaven"</span> you can read it </strong></span><a href="http://jodibeacon.blogspot.com/2010/04/pennies-from-heaven.html"><strong><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">HERE.</span></strong></a><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong> This one won't make much sense if you haven't read that one.</strong></span> </p><p><strong><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">am currently</span> training for the Ragnar Relay Race in June and so I have been trying to squeeze in my running when I can. Today I had a nail appointment and so I decided to run to it and home. As I was walking out of the salon onto the sidewalks of our town's Main Street to continue my run home, I was doing my usual looking for pennies that I always do. I thought I had a pretty good chance of finding at least one coin in that area. The last couple of weeks, I thought I would find a lot more than normal mainly because I have been getting in some long runs (10 milers) and thought my odds would go up covering so much more ground. But it didn't seem to be. I found a few, but not what I had hoped. I just figured Tyson must be pretty busy with much more important things to do right now.</span></strong></p><p><span style="color:#009900;"><strong><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">As I started walking down the sidewalk, I hadn't taken more than 20 steps when I looked down and saw </span><span style="font-size:180%;">THIS ↓</span></strong></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKVuzeQ8sQOqDdniMT2WFHmAXXR1-WqYjwWH-kQwxxbFPKArgt2Zm6twdr9HxM-QpHnHrr2gKqk4YfZMeN_yPHMfaJSx7GPsnleJHvPPsOnomuhMHpaTDjFZRPtoFUOJiCe06psJLOrc/s1600/0429101210a%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465641852265831634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKVuzeQ8sQOqDdniMT2WFHmAXXR1-WqYjwWH-kQwxxbFPKArgt2Zm6twdr9HxM-QpHnHrr2gKqk4YfZMeN_yPHMfaJSx7GPsnleJHvPPsOnomuhMHpaTDjFZRPtoFUOJiCe06psJLOrc/s400/0429101210a%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><p><span style="color:#009900;"><strong><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">Yep, a</span> <span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;">TWENTY DOLLAR BILL!!!</span> <span style="color:#c0c0c0;">I immediately picked it up and started to look around for someone who may have dropped it. There wasn't a soul in sight. I stood there waiting for a while in case someone came back to look for it, but no one did and so I put it in my pocket with a huge smile on my face as I uttered the words, <em>"Thanks Tyson. Guess this is your way of making up for the drought the last couple of weeks. Good move buddy!" </em></span></strong></span></p><p><strong><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">Pennies</span> <span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;">AND TWENTIES</span> </span><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">from heaven now?</span></strong></p><p><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"><strong>Oh dear, I am afraid my expectations have just gone way up!</strong>
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<br /></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/100/9AB65D3FBBF4764D551319A914FA884B.png" /></span></a></p><p><span style="color:#009900;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">SIDENOTE:</span><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"> </span></span><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">My brother-in-law called a few hours after I posted this. He said HE just found a 20 dollar bill in Albertson's by the Chinese food section laying on the floor. Chinese just happened to be Tyson's favorite food. I totally did NOT believe him at first....what are the odds? But it's true! How crazy is that? Heaven is obviously not having a recession right now!!! ☺</span></strong></span></P<></p>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-86447564109873510202010-04-24T14:29:00.000-06:002010-05-04T14:30:38.963-06:00Lips, Hips, and Asphalt<strong><span style="color:#cccccc;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6666cc;"></span></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6666cc;"></span></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6666cc;">10</span> miles.</span></strong> <strong><span style="color:#cccccc;">Today.</span></strong> <strong><span style="color:#cccccc;">Running. </span></strong><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;">Now <em><span style="font-size:85%;">barely</span> </em>walking.</span></strong> <span style="font-size:78%;"><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;">Seriously feeling it.</span></strong><br /></span><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;">9</span> toes hurting. <span style="font-size:85%;">One was numb.</span></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#993399;">8</span> muscles <span style="font-size:78%;">(at least)</span> asking me WHY I'm torturing them.</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcccc;"><span style="color:#ff99ff;">7</span> </span>thoughts of "Why do I enjoy inflicting pain on myself?"</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">6 </span>thoughts of "Buck up! It's ONLY 10 miles!"</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">5 </span>thoughts of "Do I really want to a run a marathon? That's 16 MORE miles!"</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">4 </span>hours to re-coop.</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6666cc;">3</span> Ibuprofen immediately administered upon arriving home.</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">2</span> hip <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">flexors</span> screaming.</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ff33;">1 </span><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">IPOD</span> dead battery. <span style="font-size:85%;">(Definitely a blessing in disguise or I might have kept going,)</span></strong></span><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;">I am in training for the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"><a href="http://www.ragnarrelay.com/wasatchback/index.php">Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay</a></span> that is in June. I also ran 10 miles last Saturday. And 9 miles the previous Monday. Those are my long runs. I try to run 4 to 6 miles three times a week as well. I haven't been running more than 8 miles at a time since my injury last year. And, my body is letting me know. I have run two half marathons (13<span style="font-size:180%;">.1</span> miles -emphasis on the point 1 - that little point 1 is huge!) but once you stop the training, you lose it. Use it or lose it kind of thing.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;">Last Saturday when I got back from my run, I felt just like I did the very first time I ran 10 miles three years ago. I remember I came home and laid down to just rest for a bit and woke up<span style="color:#ffff00;"> three hours later</span>. I just wanted to sleep. I was also hurting so bad that I wasn't walking too well. After a while I got used to it and was fine after a long run. I thought I had passed that point of<span style="color:#ffcccc;"> total exhaustion</span> for good with my running, but then I quit running long distances last year due to an injury and so now I guess my body is letting me know that I have to get used to it all over again. </span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;">Last Saturday, I ran early and felt like I was worthless the rest of the day. I didn't sleep for three hours, but wasn't super productive either. Today I went out later hoping to get stuff done<span style="color:#ff6666;"> BEFORE</span> in case it had the same effect on me. Good thing, because I am <span style="color:#ff9900;">worthless</span> today as well. Maybe next week I'll go at night so I will be worthless when it's time for bed instead! That would also help my training since the Ragnar requires runs at night in the dark.<a href="http://localhost:4149/1b3c445121f5337efd61307b4000031b/image/f65a5211f5d757b7.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:4149/1b3c445121f5337efd61307b4000031b/image/f65a5211f5d757b7.jpg?size=320" /></a> </span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;">The <span style="color:#cccccc;">Ragnar Relay</span> is a <span style="color:#33ccff;">188 mile course</span> that is ran in about <span style="color:#6633ff;">24 hours</span> non-stop by a team of 12. Each member has three legs to run. Everyone's legs are different as far as mileage and elevation. They are rated from Easy to Very Hard. The longest total distance for one runner is 20 miles and the shortest is 12. My total running distance is 13.1 miles (yes a half marathon in distance!) The legs are split up over the course and so you may be running at midnight or 3 a.m. depending on your legs. I haven't found out my times yet, but I know I have <span style="color:#ffcccc;">at least one in the dark.</span> I most excited for that one!<br /><br /><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;"></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;"></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;"></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;"><p align="center"><a href="http://localhost:4149/1b3c445121f5337efd61307b4000031b/image/2fa93c0526da5a8b.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:4149/1b3c445121f5337efd61307b4000031b/image/2fa93c0526da5a8b.jpg?size=320" /></a><a href="http://localhost:4149/1b3c445121f5337efd61307b4000031b/image/2fa93c0526da5a8b.jpg"></a><a href="http://localhost:4149/1b3c445121f5337efd61307b4000031b/image/2fa93c0526da5a8b.jpg"></a></span></strong></p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2fIJsswz3GNyQUNTPX5ArVrPOhiOr5anrvX9YH4wFKXbaUcD9jDEvLrGf9rQSPa1a_FW9PLv_5UA7I0_RsR5Uw3VEjCz-NAXLZBfZBNTASz0a8UlZwfC-wK-1GKmgDYdxYq0SpaDwSw/s1600/AFLGTGUCABVHUF3CA01H668CAZSWTCWCAR1O9FVCABJR310CATNL34GCAFA6QHYCAVTB7CKCA4ITP2QCADA66HBCAIFFR0YCAXFARK9CAR3Z6IMCAUZC641CAAPI2W8CA5PC7YECA6JT7DVCA862W57CAOEDQ7D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2fIJsswz3GNyQUNTPX5ArVrPOhiOr5anrvX9YH4wFKXbaUcD9jDEvLrGf9rQSPa1a_FW9PLv_5UA7I0_RsR5Uw3VEjCz-NAXLZBfZBNTASz0a8UlZwfC-wK-1GKmgDYdxYq0SpaDwSw/s160/AFLGTGUCABVHUF3CA01H668CAZSWTCWCAR1O9FVCABJR310CATNL34GCAFA6QHYCAVTB7CKCA4ITP2QCADA66HBCAIFFR0YCAXFARK9CAR3Z6IMCAUZC641CAAPI2W8CA5PC7YECA6JT7DVCA862W57CAOEDQ7D.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;">It may sound crazy, but it is a <span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">PARTY!</span> I am so excited I can hardly stand it! I was registered with the team ENERGIZER <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">RUNNIES</span></span> last year, but had to drop out because of my injury. I was so bummed. I heard they have over 1000 teams this year. WOW! Major party! That's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff66;">1000 x 12 people!</span> It is SOLD OUT! It's going to be one serious party. There is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;">no sleep</span> involved for at least 24 hours unless you are lucky to catch a cat nap here and there when you aren't running your legs. Each team has two vehicles that the non runners travel in and follow their runner. For more info go </span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.ragnarrelay.com/wasatchback/index.php">HERE</a>.<a href="http://localhost:4149/1b3c445121f5337efd61307b4000031b/image/8afa42297c55a13b.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:4149/1b3c445121f5337efd61307b4000031b/image/8afa42297c55a13b.jpg?size=320" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong>Our team name this year is <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">LIPS, HIPS, and ASPHALT</span>. Each team decorates their vehicles and wears crazy costumes. They give away prizes for the best in each category.<br /></strong></span><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><a href="http://localhost:4149/1b3c445121f5337efd61307b4000031b/image/fde918ca6a88d86b.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:4149/1b3c445121f5337efd61307b4000031b/image/fde918ca6a88d86b.jpg?size=320" /></a><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cccccc;"><strong>The part I am most excited about is my awesome friends Jen, Heather, Mel, and Jen D. are on my team. I love each one of them so much and I know it will be<span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ff33;"> SO MUCH FUN!!! </span>It will also be fun making new friends with the others that are on the team as well. We have nine women and three men. The men are being good sports about the name and what we are planning for costumes.</strong></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;">One thing for sure is I need to get back to the gym to my strength training classes to help me be a stronger runner as well. Those <span style="color:#00cccc;">5:45 a.m. classes</span> are killers, but I can tell a huge difference in my running when I'm not faithful at attending. I am just grateful <span style="color:#ff6600;">Mother Nature</span> has decided to give us at least a few days each week of sunshine. I have put away my winter running clothes<span style="color:#cc66cc;"> FOUR</span> times already this spring, only to get them back out when the temps drop again. We will have a few days in the 60's and then the next day it is back in the 30's. Here's hoping her mood swings have finally stabilized!</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cccccc;">I'll end on a quote that made me chuckle this week...</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><em>"Life is short. Running makes it seem longer." ~ Baron Hansen</em></span></strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/100/9AB65D3FBBF4764D551319A914FA884B.png" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-23515070063968772022010-04-14T14:41:00.000-06:002010-05-04T14:41:50.482-06:00♥Pennies From Heaven♥<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLOTien4Stq_oVdtUk73cBRNsGHn-tIS1_O5WNQ_UrX34w1Vm1UhJgtdIK2bFCppAQgdMBfnGHYW_wZURxqb8GBGPBzsvj8eS_YjSPprhGQwWP0MLBfJPCSmFUXkrfxHbJNNjfYCF0F4/s400/IMG_8637.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong></strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong><br /><br />Ever since Tyson passed away, I have had some very amazing experiences that has confirmed in my heart that he lives and watches over us. </strong></span></em><br /><div></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;">One day, just a little while after he passed away, I was really missing him and expressed in my heart that I wished he could find a way to let me know he was around and still thinking of us. Immediately after, I looked down and found a shiny copper penny laying right before me. I wondered to myself if maybe, just maybe, this was a little gift from heaven via Tyson. I felt that it was, but once I read the date on the penny and saw it was 1988, I KNEW it was from him. </span></em></strong><br /></div><div></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;">He was born in 1988. </span></em></strong><br /></div><div></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;">I was sure he was smiling above with that sweet grin of his that won everyone's heart while saying, "There ya go Mom. Of course I am thinking about ya. Love ya Mom."</span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;">Since that day, I have had some of the most incredible experiences in finding pennies and other coins that I<span style="color:#33ccff;"> know</span> are from him. Each day when I go out and run, I now look for coins. And nearly each day I find at least one. Not really significant on it's own I know, but what makes it so, is the fact that I usually run the same route each day and yet, I will find a coin in the most remote place that wasn't there the day before and no one could have possibly just dropped it, because not many people go where I run. </span></em></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></em></strong><br /></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"><em>There have been many times when I am having a bad day and I will just say in my heart, "Tys buddy, if you are around today, can you just say hi." Within seconds (</em>literally seconds<em>), I will find a coin or in some cases, several coins along the way until I am home. I will find them when we go to some event after having just said, "Tyson sure would have loved this."</em> </span></strong><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;">I find them on family vacations in the most remotest of places. Other times, I will find them right in front of me.</span></em></strong><br /></div><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><br /><br />One of the most amazing experiences I've had was when one day I was out running and really struggling with missing him. It had been a rough week. A really rough week. The entire route of my run I was hoping to find just one coin to comfort me and make me feel him near. Nothing. I kept searching. Nothing. I kept an eagle eye out for a coin, any coin. Nothing. Finally, I was nearing my home and feeling even worse that I hadn't found one on the day I most needed to. Just a few steps from my house, I saw something shiny in front of me. I was so hoping it was a shiny dime or quarter. As I got closer I could tell it was not a coin. My hopes dashed once again. As I approached it, I still wasn't sure what it was. I reached down to get a closer look and discovered it was a mini Snickers bar. </span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;">My heart skipped a beat.</span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;">Now that doesn't sound like anything miraculous to anyone else, but mini Snickers were Tyson's most favorite candy in the whole world. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjPog5HNwhf1HxkFhxHJpH5HliOpt3oMp9zNRf0RspYuJXrUmlw0QvbdeRkbnq4dfyPFHeTTtfaa3pOFJ8-v_SNd0DclvyhbXdnW2Y1VJlOXXfRmFHCUGZ3gc9LjBgLXd0lIYXor8rG0/s1600/sdncoiker.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjPog5HNwhf1HxkFhxHJpH5HliOpt3oMp9zNRf0RspYuJXrUmlw0QvbdeRkbnq4dfyPFHeTTtfaa3pOFJ8-v_SNd0DclvyhbXdnW2Y1VJlOXXfRmFHCUGZ3gc9LjBgLXd0lIYXor8rG0/s160/sdncoiker.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /></span></em></strong></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><br /><br />Coincidence?</span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;">Maybe....</span></em></strong><br /></div><div></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong><em>But to</em> this<em> mom, I knew it was my sweet angel boy in heaven sending his struggling mom a gift, a tender mercy, to comfort me and let me KNOW that he loves me dearly and is there.</em></strong> </span><br /></div><div></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;">I could go on and on with the stories and experiences I've had, but suffice it to say, I believe the coins I find nearly each day, are his way of letting me know he loves me and is still very close to our family. </span></em></strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><strong>Pennies From Heaven</strong></span><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>When an Angel misses you, </strong></span></em><br /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>they toss a penny down to let you know they care.</strong></span></em><br /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>Never enough time to spend on earth, </strong></span></em><br /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>but in our hearts they will always be there.</strong></span></em><br /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>Love is never lost,</strong></span></em><br /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>smiles never forgotten, </strong></span></em><br /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>the memories are burned so deep.</strong></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>We wish we could have kept you here forever.</strong></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>but your soul is God's to keep.</strong></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>So when you're sad, </strong></span></em><br /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>tears falling to the ground,</strong></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>you see a shimmer by your shoe,</strong></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>Pick up that penny,</strong></span></em><br /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>look to heaven and know </strong></span></em><br /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#9999ff;"><strong>an Angel is watching over you!</strong></span></em><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#9999ff;"><em><strong>By: Kirby Tracy </strong></em></span></div><span style="color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">I collect them in this seashell box ↓ I got in Hawaii. Tyson LOVED Hawaii.</span><br /></strong></em></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqOcApSvytHcCk2aRFTlZZ2SlLNnioVZZO3KjWkl5hWjOZx3XevIpex_L8kK2ZN6KqMg8P5ZApC9FwBhgrpTQWPv7_Ry8mS4iA_NHg_sGmvl8nZxKn7LyQVoTaCVQem2dXYzM_Ozw71w/s1600/IMG_1261.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460080667594427026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqOcApSvytHcCk2aRFTlZZ2SlLNnioVZZO3KjWkl5hWjOZx3XevIpex_L8kK2ZN6KqMg8P5ZApC9FwBhgrpTQWPv7_Ry8mS4iA_NHg_sGmvl8nZxKn7LyQVoTaCVQem2dXYzM_Ozw71w/s400/IMG_1261.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><strong><em><div align="left"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /><br />My collection has grown much larger than this now.</em></strong></span></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f3RKDagBTnEVzGr5ExUDXVJ60HqIeiXQIF6dnZTVAImBBYNvw5YBj445mqNIBrzadJEBYKmoTh2kos7Dxt6BMZmKw2u6nP2XC6EsfdYBwMwusUXdXjQBX53Eng_9LM4wyBmJK-g4KVs/s1600/IMG_1259.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460079231243497618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f3RKDagBTnEVzGr5ExUDXVJ60HqIeiXQIF6dnZTVAImBBYNvw5YBj445mqNIBrzadJEBYKmoTh2kos7Dxt6BMZmKw2u6nP2XC6EsfdYBwMwusUXdXjQBX53Eng_9LM4wyBmJK-g4KVs/s400/IMG_1259.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /><br />Sometimes they are worn and weathered...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUs6QyzvvbAo2rNQ_3rJam3cZlWtxMQVMkLASZ_v01f7TYwpQQSJJw_4mPkdifNnyYUsEEGiQ8Vys4tCW3IvLhEugXNrLqx6F_u6zKMr-8FjkK2AJpyIK-nU9TfZ6ZtViMx8bG-t_EfqA/s1600/IMG_1263.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460080059463977810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUs6QyzvvbAo2rNQ_3rJam3cZlWtxMQVMkLASZ_v01f7TYwpQQSJJw_4mPkdifNnyYUsEEGiQ8Vys4tCW3IvLhEugXNrLqx6F_u6zKMr-8FjkK2AJpyIK-nU9TfZ6ZtViMx8bG-t_EfqA/s400/IMG_1263.JPG" /></a></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong></strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em><strong>and sometimes they are shiny and bright.</strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><em></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrhGX97n8ASabxYCJztHcewA-5Cl_PP04YZcnQjpsePq2Zw3bE8mtXjHcfP-z3rlRBkcfAG6a8cxrnCzIPQvP-noPw_XrKFTowROBkw8sZ_ZtinKxzhDn6O-oyebLgBSb00LSEjqNLbI/s1600/IMG_1264.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460080464459060066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrhGX97n8ASabxYCJztHcewA-5Cl_PP04YZcnQjpsePq2Zw3bE8mtXjHcfP-z3rlRBkcfAG6a8cxrnCzIPQvP-noPw_XrKFTowROBkw8sZ_ZtinKxzhDn6O-oyebLgBSb00LSEjqNLbI/s400/IMG_1264.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><strong><em></em></strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><strong><em></em></strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><strong><em><br /><br /><br />But just the same, they are from a dear angel in heaven.♥</em></strong></span><br /><br /></div><p align="left"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/100/9AB65D3FBBF4764D551319A914FA884B.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLDHbwusu25lmMPPmMLgf1cj9S9Bggok3v6q-EYuEXbNIxayL1iLX3SnmuyD0rLI7RTroRuGMcV2pFiyCuT3Yx8UD3nLe8snQTaTe4N0g9f0alCL2Msz_4w2V-t3TZ7iGZH9N3CzxcmY/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG"></a></p>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-85762607530563288752009-11-29T14:33:00.001-07:002010-05-04T14:35:39.070-06:00Running With the Ho-Ho's<span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">There is a race called the <span style="font-size:180%;">SANTA RUN</span> that I heard about last year and really wanted to do with my friends, but we heard about it too late and couldn't get registered on time. Sooo...we all planned on doing it for sure this year! Not everyone could do it, but three of us did and we had a BLAST!!!</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>SANTA RUN 2009</strong></span><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyf6LKGHhIhhGSgqyH_WicPp2EPtOvsZBsPa6KO2kZoBABOGFhyphenhyphen_IC8ZsAxUtEv13uULt5vppF69GmxPSKzfFtNqc77WIo3ClCMy0OhlOGx1DdkvjAthPWRiDExKQSPmtcOyUtJeO-0g/s1600/Nov+09.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyf6LKGHhIhhGSgqyH_WicPp2EPtOvsZBsPa6KO2kZoBABOGFhyphenhyphen_IC8ZsAxUtEv13uULt5vppF69GmxPSKzfFtNqc77WIo3ClCMy0OhlOGx1DdkvjAthPWRiDExKQSPmtcOyUtJeO-0g/s400/Nov+09.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Click to enlarge</span></em><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;"></span></strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Me with my friends and fellow running Santa's ---Heather and Jen. </span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZaGpv7fR9DJ7FQTrvRHhTSTePLKR9S_N-q3GjeyIEnvS77giaxw1H6mDn4DTgtZxWa2XouTzFqCiH1Qt2cgN49016zNqxYZhc_j5bFvrb3YMMtvBjy-v-GOD8mGGcSkpKMY0lSMelwk/s1600/Nov+09+151.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZaGpv7fR9DJ7FQTrvRHhTSTePLKR9S_N-q3GjeyIEnvS77giaxw1H6mDn4DTgtZxWa2XouTzFqCiH1Qt2cgN49016zNqxYZhc_j5bFvrb3YMMtvBjy-v-GOD8mGGcSkpKMY0lSMelwk/s400/Nov+09+151.jpg" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwp8o86J5nDtrRLZlx1C2wsEgcoxT8IEfQAtxzAIOMHgVodYYBOqK-1nvwjGZ1VAtRFNRYPyNFYOAE29tZYM7aV1JBzmz759HH10YTgyrHgRE_RVYOLHB2noqZ9ETIDKm_DfXO_aYPz0/s1600/Nov+091.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwp8o86J5nDtrRLZlx1C2wsEgcoxT8IEfQAtxzAIOMHgVodYYBOqK-1nvwjGZ1VAtRFNRYPyNFYOAE29tZYM7aV1JBzmz759HH10YTgyrHgRE_RVYOLHB2noqZ9ETIDKm_DfXO_aYPz0/s400/Nov+091.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Here we are hanging with the other 297 Santas listening to instructions before the start of the race. The race was held at 4:30 p.m. right before the Holiday Light Parade.</strong><br /><br /><strong>We dressed alike and even though there were tons of others dressed just as unique, we got a lot of compliments and stares (and people taking our picture). Must have been that we were all three alike! Or possibly the socks or suspenders??? No, it had to be the cute shorts Jen made us!</strong><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2m-EcMrZKeReUIYYPFXqVivI9_Ye13FUZ6QsJybPzfuiJHn0QB7o_N7RB-xPn0yNiOds8EX6gR-6Z9LsWNx_MrbMvonZdQHkKyiaX25E3ESSqCc8kt7E4NhzyCuycpPSb3az-2-3WROY/s1600/Nov+09+093.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2m-EcMrZKeReUIYYPFXqVivI9_Ye13FUZ6QsJybPzfuiJHn0QB7o_N7RB-xPn0yNiOds8EX6gR-6Z9LsWNx_MrbMvonZdQHkKyiaX25E3ESSqCc8kt7E4NhzyCuycpPSb3az-2-3WROY/s400/Nov+09+093.jpg" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUNJiNoAzkcnWn_mJaBT2J1JsLWy9wfXDJLbpPvi-K7YQyvI8poCdIfN3iukDAbAvQcYgtJLkWKME-E6TLhCMMfdTZFp2Ro1alrDcRo26pEXukkF5i2oM4c7AjFuihQy1Bzltl1_X_3E/s1600/Nov+09+155.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUNJiNoAzkcnWn_mJaBT2J1JsLWy9wfXDJLbpPvi-K7YQyvI8poCdIfN3iukDAbAvQcYgtJLkWKME-E6TLhCMMfdTZFp2Ro1alrDcRo26pEXukkF5i2oM4c7AjFuihQy1Bzltl1_X_3E/s400/Nov+09+155.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>They had us do SANTA WARM-UPS before the start of the race.</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>We did <em>"Hat, Beard, Belly, and Boots"</em> <span style="font-size:85%;">(a version of Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes)</span> and then some calisthenics while we counted with HO-HO's. VERY FUN!</strong><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtz0WsvyuFyqicNG4z7VTT3H7sSAy7QXMZklxNWeAjj6Qsp283C2QsQbBmUs5E3np4JWrHkKZXBWYmDj6SiH752JxzEPxqNZ_iX3S7_YsPRR10zhmE7U0PHqHBVZ_O0Al5C3vESh8J3e8/s1600/Nov+09+159.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtz0WsvyuFyqicNG4z7VTT3H7sSAy7QXMZklxNWeAjj6Qsp283C2QsQbBmUs5E3np4JWrHkKZXBWYmDj6SiH752JxzEPxqNZ_iX3S7_YsPRR10zhmE7U0PHqHBVZ_O0Al5C3vESh8J3e8/s400/Nov+09+159.jpg" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPr6Zlm4_polrOELx7hyPHKzSRdrhuRctbNmL0vPQQAO6IPY4W3ypSd2Nqm_7utzZk1mY-dVS9Ob-WCKmWO5RVTIlmWQNjJ_y0WY0QGBP7dzXamXJreP4tiiznVQ9JsBmkTTKcaCiiPmM/s1600/Nov+09+154.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPr6Zlm4_polrOELx7hyPHKzSRdrhuRctbNmL0vPQQAO6IPY4W3ypSd2Nqm_7utzZk1mY-dVS9Ob-WCKmWO5RVTIlmWQNjJ_y0WY0QGBP7dzXamXJreP4tiiznVQ9JsBmkTTKcaCiiPmM/s400/Nov+09+154.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>On our marks... get set...<br /></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">GO!!!!!</span> We are just to the right of the yellow stroller. The first green light is above Jen's head. Look for the socks! lol <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>(click to enlarge)</em></span></strong><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqlpfjCv5XE_BMQu9XTfPUcitit-clDyTs2QYl2qiGxxILjcHJ_vN9vDmvDQ4MlqxZB-jKenzm-PZ5sbXb5JkfmmgExAIDyUv48lGHvBkhy1iVvcC9-3cOmrsezk4K4aS17G7Rui2izk/s1600/Nov+09+162.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqlpfjCv5XE_BMQu9XTfPUcitit-clDyTs2QYl2qiGxxILjcHJ_vN9vDmvDQ4MlqxZB-jKenzm-PZ5sbXb5JkfmmgExAIDyUv48lGHvBkhy1iVvcC9-3cOmrsezk4K4aS17G7Rui2izk/s400/Nov+09+162.jpg" /></span></a><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntbyyvlxdiEOcA8WP7HHhqLMHslme9bBLEYCYFmaXxrtmizCjH6i3hykwAzYPzKuC5P-mBgF7HIF6JaVfIQjiXchWMORDt-BWeqaeS5hSLmaiwBMy-LoYBbSOlD3l9eGpuYyvR-v4Xig/s1600/Nov+09+164.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntbyyvlxdiEOcA8WP7HHhqLMHslme9bBLEYCYFmaXxrtmizCjH6i3hykwAzYPzKuC5P-mBgF7HIF6JaVfIQjiXchWMORDt-BWeqaeS5hSLmaiwBMy-LoYBbSOlD3l9eGpuYyvR-v4Xig/s400/Nov+09+164.jpg" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk84GHJJXqu6gXSqO9a33cRbgAYuw-FUmOhOPzWBYbemZqjerL5W_N4iL2byEnumFGQ2lYlUEEDMHGOZa7x3Zp-kQHmrH2PJhquBiFpIHQK3CU1riXsvQuAzxuQkWSrZZx5cO3XswANYw/s1600/Nov+09+164.jpg"></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfA3Sh5y5QfcREgtYog9m1eJ1LqcHF2_rPO5otmgbPkm5SNkUxCjvtCRbZbcc5H7lIR9QXJtzDIpEN3C0J39RE1cbLXzPlluE8Nff7dwK9BzByJvqup1fyjXRMY9y2wn9EjMzmmcGi40/s1600/15455_1219703065768_1624671476_555076_470072_n.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfA3Sh5y5QfcREgtYog9m1eJ1LqcHF2_rPO5otmgbPkm5SNkUxCjvtCRbZbcc5H7lIR9QXJtzDIpEN3C0J39RE1cbLXzPlluE8Nff7dwK9BzByJvqup1fyjXRMY9y2wn9EjMzmmcGi40/s400/15455_1219703065768_1624671476_555076_470072_n.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj9rHa3vdp1Etq0WF5lqMT0i5XoFyo5BPcKIayQaCL5oe0cLJAZt9BgoR7EcXQZWkJV_tTmus4i7rCv5HkXK4BPtUR0LjS4sQcfsyS7WdveyKr2f5oML-gLs___hlfAoaqCOgoI5amb0/s1600/Collages41.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">We are seriously having TOO MUCH FUN! Okay, not <em>seriously...</em>we took nothing serious about this race at all! </span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdf5b8SQcKML6NA1zmzFWDa-NMfmyPbWs7JCn4Isbm1I_ucbUK6OV_cXPxCkERkpy5pCY-uz9mBEy4fZ-9C9GItxrYtS61F1HkGOQoyGoxuyTNY9nIdm0b3mBujjKPD56w3AYCEkMUP0/s1600/Nov+092.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdf5b8SQcKML6NA1zmzFWDa-NMfmyPbWs7JCn4Isbm1I_ucbUK6OV_cXPxCkERkpy5pCY-uz9mBEy4fZ-9C9GItxrYtS61F1HkGOQoyGoxuyTNY9nIdm0b3mBujjKPD56w3AYCEkMUP0/s400/Nov+092.jpg" /></span></a><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46M0KvKTGVLSJbjS0VPD-ufdfXxTVJnKzwVqCdTvivz5DZdRVY-oyxWwUQtI4dYZH7FrnVvlTdd6USasNOBl7DpsVP0vnFlWms_uWFz34fQ86uATSga7KFF_2OX6VXOJzX2l75lbhH8s/s1600/Nov+09+099.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46M0KvKTGVLSJbjS0VPD-ufdfXxTVJnKzwVqCdTvivz5DZdRVY-oyxWwUQtI4dYZH7FrnVvlTdd6USasNOBl7DpsVP0vnFlWms_uWFz34fQ86uATSga7KFF_2OX6VXOJzX2l75lbhH8s/s400/Nov+09+099.jpg" /></span></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>The 5K route (3.1 miles) went down four blocks and then turned back the other way and repeated three times along the Holiday Light Parade route.</strong><br /><br /><strong>We saw a lot of interesting sights along the way!</strong><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWot5JWBr4QCaSNTZeQxL2iPfkgQV4COKWmRF6NI9qfwlN1LTCDGhJs6pVrR9wY7e8HON1NZ74_FCDw_TpWQGEU45WlWFt7T3tHamIvJMt0giqlpaVfQercEtH8t0TxBiTYmpHJSWcu7w/s1600/Nov+094.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWot5JWBr4QCaSNTZeQxL2iPfkgQV4COKWmRF6NI9qfwlN1LTCDGhJs6pVrR9wY7e8HON1NZ74_FCDw_TpWQGEU45WlWFt7T3tHamIvJMt0giqlpaVfQercEtH8t0TxBiTYmpHJSWcu7w/s400/Nov+094.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></a></div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>As I said before, we didn't take this race seriously. We all carried our cameras and stopped A LOT to take tons of photos. Jen cracked me up because she wanted to NOT SWEAT because she knew we would be freezing by the time the parade started that we were all staying to watch. A good idea, but not really possible in a 5K...even when you are stopping a lot and <em>not </em>pushing it.</strong><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /></span><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">The aid stations had cute little elves serving COOKIES and MILK!!!<br /></span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpfeOxu9M7KnyQEc90oWwLZ7Y6Dq3-cAa2781iuHox7Px-IWro7zl9eXj1HKuGKAj0YAvRip7Q5AtMUbmkXQw54-c3-GBXNGtXUkhkIwJW_B7zSxpTLXpkzINtY_NJIZ7GNNO5ok-RkA/s1600/Nov+09+113.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpfeOxu9M7KnyQEc90oWwLZ7Y6Dq3-cAa2781iuHox7Px-IWro7zl9eXj1HKuGKAj0YAvRip7Q5AtMUbmkXQw54-c3-GBXNGtXUkhkIwJW_B7zSxpTLXpkzINtY_NJIZ7GNNO5ok-RkA/s400/Nov+09+113.jpg" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZMotISsx4Oklk_XjSzOc-iWD0cJrahaBFwoTDlT9jfVsHdIW-PLaqFN2tzej-CAt9-w3pP873q2vAMokSJaFdOsBud0al9gq4SUuvuy5fHup_rB4A8r06CY1sS1z3t986JzsbIzZ3E4/s1600/Nov+09+169.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZMotISsx4Oklk_XjSzOc-iWD0cJrahaBFwoTDlT9jfVsHdIW-PLaqFN2tzej-CAt9-w3pP873q2vAMokSJaFdOsBud0al9gq4SUuvuy5fHup_rB4A8r06CY1sS1z3t986JzsbIzZ3E4/s400/Nov+09+169.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></a></div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Yes, we had to stop and take our photo with the Santa's little helper and PRETEND we are eating the cookies and milk. They just don't sit well in your stomach when you are running a race... but cute idea anyway!!!</strong><br /><br /></span><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">One of Santa's larger elves....<br /></span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwxWrsAsEweoD6L5qT3enoLNNiPBkVSdPZflcdPhsnUsx11iAJ9Zd_eDe1SLarQX3mrX6hmMDKnmfUJF_JfYq3y6C_LIXYCkVYs3fdHS4lnSmvFjoSzL-fZ_Z9k-vyhQ1tX3euujAULo/s1600/Nov+09+105.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwxWrsAsEweoD6L5qT3enoLNNiPBkVSdPZflcdPhsnUsx11iAJ9Zd_eDe1SLarQX3mrX6hmMDKnmfUJF_JfYq3y6C_LIXYCkVYs3fdHS4lnSmvFjoSzL-fZ_Z9k-vyhQ1tX3euujAULo/s400/Nov+09+105.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0dQxoRkRyXtx_XfPF0UGdTTZh8YvPF4g_GY-ugm-9aRXU5tAwE1Ae4NkQXedNtXqd6LqgRXYmAUUMWIMghyr9DSfpycgb3kynmb68NSW0g-RriDpkwrBTG7u-YJP6pnBnHlbUqQS1CI/s1600/Nov+093.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0dQxoRkRyXtx_XfPF0UGdTTZh8YvPF4g_GY-ugm-9aRXU5tAwE1Ae4NkQXedNtXqd6LqgRXYmAUUMWIMghyr9DSfpycgb3kynmb68NSW0g-RriDpkwrBTG7u-YJP6pnBnHlbUqQS1CI/s400/Nov+093.jpg" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge44szil0rThCVO45CmL7EspU5jPToO4vBbd1dFw2pxWR064gAzJw08reqBEgQtCgytOvmKZanDjW37hXm6MGGUdhrKfcuq0CJFOAYy2QJR-GvHASSjQ5KQxfKVrtO91YFEpCc7VnfX-0/s1600/Nov+09+110.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge44szil0rThCVO45CmL7EspU5jPToO4vBbd1dFw2pxWR064gAzJw08reqBEgQtCgytOvmKZanDjW37hXm6MGGUdhrKfcuq0CJFOAYy2QJR-GvHASSjQ5KQxfKVrtO91YFEpCc7VnfX-0/s400/Nov+09+110.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Yes, <em>another</em> stop! We just HAD to take our picture with this band!!! </strong><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeHFCzzmsncX-WnxaVF1eZNDOLx9Cc_gOSo5g0S0Rig4qX_RnfwnK_neCs1VrqEEM5mUKfqJ0m2-t2c3fm4zlFjKePzTUJ8gVN-IKhjk72UbO7sAgZu2WEtRDdSE9n7HMmQdl38g-mWw/s1600/15455_1219702985766_1624671476_555074_6239522_n.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeHFCzzmsncX-WnxaVF1eZNDOLx9Cc_gOSo5g0S0Rig4qX_RnfwnK_neCs1VrqEEM5mUKfqJ0m2-t2c3fm4zlFjKePzTUJ8gVN-IKhjk72UbO7sAgZu2WEtRDdSE9n7HMmQdl38g-mWw/s400/15455_1219702985766_1624671476_555074_6239522_n.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Back to the pavement.....<br /></span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TGpKfD7ZDqEbQ96x5J-r5v2CrVGqDCdRttv9wmwu-L7Zl1Rx8us7D2Vckv1lRGSbkN28P4v47XYx7KkcLU53kxJs1dCZ0Si_sJlqZlfJ7lwMavu7Ej52TYVZNhvCelXGclj-TNIgqYE/s1600/Nov+09+170.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TGpKfD7ZDqEbQ96x5J-r5v2CrVGqDCdRttv9wmwu-L7Zl1Rx8us7D2Vckv1lRGSbkN28P4v47XYx7KkcLU53kxJs1dCZ0Si_sJlqZlfJ7lwMavu7Ej52TYVZNhvCelXGclj-TNIgqYE/s400/Nov+09+170.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP-bh0wqZnrDC3BOQDo8NYXd45w0tZbYLsJcR-XCCrFJaJFs3VEtbsF5koi1akLDZSaUj7fcYCxFX2KV_UXXT27G86q0i3plsF0AKQnHM10SLksO2cbdi-L_u8czE0plxR6e0aheZhWE/s1600/Nov+09+171.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP-bh0wqZnrDC3BOQDo8NYXd45w0tZbYLsJcR-XCCrFJaJFs3VEtbsF5koi1akLDZSaUj7fcYCxFX2KV_UXXT27G86q0i3plsF0AKQnHM10SLksO2cbdi-L_u8czE0plxR6e0aheZhWE/s400/Nov+09+171.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw53coz98tydEmc2aw_Ei_8r2nUaJFboqxof2PPrStX6_V9Nj29YASg2vAS1jUdk08CLdjW52y96EFI1gyC-vOrF6M-tYWT0rFkb-PbqeefZkCwxm-Kf2cYmAbwPyhINQfey4ZoBvplVs/s1600/Nov+09+114.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw53coz98tydEmc2aw_Ei_8r2nUaJFboqxof2PPrStX6_V9Nj29YASg2vAS1jUdk08CLdjW52y96EFI1gyC-vOrF6M-tYWT0rFkb-PbqeefZkCwxm-Kf2cYmAbwPyhINQfey4ZoBvplVs/s400/Nov+09+114.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>We turned a corner and saw the FINISH LINE. For some reason this race seemed longer than most 5K's. Hmm...I wonder if it's because we stopped to take photos so much?!!! As you can see below, sometimes we didn't even <em>stop</em> to take the photo!</strong><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6Tf1BnAu0Gkfnr2r9n_Y3YJN17Lhyphenhyphenb-EuzyocBRUoNxMTC0lj9x3IYHMi266mO8ceFrHalmaz36qvxQjFY0cKY3jZmEvsSIsf2SEgZALUkM7YZdNqBOxBMVcji2NK_Acb324QzSj-ws/s1600/Nov+09+175.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6Tf1BnAu0Gkfnr2r9n_Y3YJN17Lhyphenhyphenb-EuzyocBRUoNxMTC0lj9x3IYHMi266mO8ceFrHalmaz36qvxQjFY0cKY3jZmEvsSIsf2SEgZALUkM7YZdNqBOxBMVcji2NK_Acb324QzSj-ws/s400/Nov+09+175.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Our time was pathetic, but all in all not too bad considering all our stops! lol</strong><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMpavYak5hdJeiMxVudIVAzeRYXkEoS-_VJ6iDvDtUlVtbjEXTXT2HjP2OvM-N9PlKr_zPIEShyNEomsypdXwi7593V_ib6pLTzi3C2ZTXS-z_npSK4SEZwZYoQ6J4_kmT6Xl70lOUYU/s1600/Nov+09+177.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMpavYak5hdJeiMxVudIVAzeRYXkEoS-_VJ6iDvDtUlVtbjEXTXT2HjP2OvM-N9PlKr_zPIEShyNEomsypdXwi7593V_ib6pLTzi3C2ZTXS-z_npSK4SEZwZYoQ6J4_kmT6Xl70lOUYU/s400/Nov+09+177.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEQon7LRn36iOfYm4UAzi3neqR0cblRw7HhPkLVNksEdp2tJ6x3ZgjPkVmWAirczL5e_OW41j7FZ6xrYT0KhAx6Gmut9Q1siTOjKhmfop1bGXhOlVKiDViQC0qo9fJHDDfgi4rGgmDTk/s1600/Nov+095.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEQon7LRn36iOfYm4UAzi3neqR0cblRw7HhPkLVNksEdp2tJ6x3ZgjPkVmWAirczL5e_OW41j7FZ6xrYT0KhAx6Gmut9Q1siTOjKhmfop1bGXhOlVKiDViQC0qo9fJHDDfgi4rGgmDTk/s400/Nov+095.jpg" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePSZUI0k6ZuwIotxv8pPqdXVaLLfaILYqGlKXCysuD8ne-V7twD0P2Mko5aNsMBbRF8vvAoPvW5xzl4loOrj9CfQrkSniDSCSVbSLdwsuaC-IyumrK_M4LzmccPzjXJ_t6CsHOd4uLJg/s1600/Nov+09+180.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePSZUI0k6ZuwIotxv8pPqdXVaLLfaILYqGlKXCysuD8ne-V7twD0P2Mko5aNsMBbRF8vvAoPvW5xzl4loOrj9CfQrkSniDSCSVbSLdwsuaC-IyumrK_M4LzmccPzjXJ_t6CsHOd4uLJg/s400/Nov+09+180.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>We had to stand in line after crossing the finish line to turn in our race number. That's a first.</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>Some photographer guy that stalked us the entire race, asked if he could photograph us after we finished.</strong><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcHqL0qoPKoVgUfbCyHCPAhbzTMBdedV-r7dg4Yxz1ut_4wR28a0klhg3ESxIxO-0om17xNpgMqF8CL-u45kIivDaRxRsJhOfTrAnUhnYEW3DMPE1CdV-y4tBou1MlgCUpLiQvb0XB_A/s1600/Nov+09+182.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcHqL0qoPKoVgUfbCyHCPAhbzTMBdedV-r7dg4Yxz1ut_4wR28a0klhg3ESxIxO-0om17xNpgMqF8CL-u45kIivDaRxRsJhOfTrAnUhnYEW3DMPE1CdV-y4tBou1MlgCUpLiQvb0XB_A/s400/Nov+09+182.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">MY cheerleaders!!! AND action photographer!<br /></span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGm6n01mZA39wyZOhj_5sQMe6peoE_mq_gwmasqOVa_cQhcRlyqWzR9d55mcLDjTc1BFzNhx6QU_JES8sBP_8Bl11YMebnGCgqq_uxpvnR59g-bHSGMOYy8vfGehbNwezX41y8EoOWXVo/s1600/Nov+09+116.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGm6n01mZA39wyZOhj_5sQMe6peoE_mq_gwmasqOVa_cQhcRlyqWzR9d55mcLDjTc1BFzNhx6QU_JES8sBP_8Bl11YMebnGCgqq_uxpvnR59g-bHSGMOYy8vfGehbNwezX41y8EoOWXVo/s400/Nov+09+116.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>It was just a little windy at times!!!</strong><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNuIS9SAae-Hh5DiXUUuSeBQJrnFf_-oGcFxHKzqHuO1Yv9nkrWSXhIAHgITd6SVzLEppoHkB7Qwo8YM9FLpBHq3tN07ch47FgRD2c25Ajt2ePed4LUNwExqc9oiNQ3oI0z0Cjxx8hq4/s1600/Nov+09+186.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNuIS9SAae-Hh5DiXUUuSeBQJrnFf_-oGcFxHKzqHuO1Yv9nkrWSXhIAHgITd6SVzLEppoHkB7Qwo8YM9FLpBHq3tN07ch47FgRD2c25Ajt2ePed4LUNwExqc9oiNQ3oI0z0Cjxx8hq4/s400/Nov+09+186.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Look who we found!!! ↓ He was just walking down the street as if some normal pedestrian. We stopped and asked if we could have our photo with him. He said sure. He was the <span style="font-size:180%;">REAL</span> thing! It<em> was</em> HIM, I know it!</strong><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9poXNtME5XDu5bCm2urS-t-GK4EsnoeCtIYKcFzxKioUy0TSIkKit_8eaIGGb4IvBV5SP00WciDFQj5LXVvndNOOETIZ7_77wg02OHLu7D85Ag3c2dzlPNUh7K7XLz0EkrMPAmgHDZM/s1600/15455_1219703305774_1624671476_555082_20186_n.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9poXNtME5XDu5bCm2urS-t-GK4EsnoeCtIYKcFzxKioUy0TSIkKit_8eaIGGb4IvBV5SP00WciDFQj5LXVvndNOOETIZ7_77wg02OHLu7D85Ag3c2dzlPNUh7K7XLz0EkrMPAmgHDZM/s400/15455_1219703305774_1624671476_555082_20186_n.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPv1PyTb0bM3C1CLRnB4MjPdD9uPdVWOfHc8qYlPSUpOs2LcSsPxe9MyDTUL6mHqA9go4I6j4PoRsgJBq3qqfy9xkRpMSTJSrgepFKRmCZI2lKugLzYTS-58aTsl6VWcDr_22HN5C7v9g/s1600/Nov+09+187.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPv1PyTb0bM3C1CLRnB4MjPdD9uPdVWOfHc8qYlPSUpOs2LcSsPxe9MyDTUL6mHqA9go4I6j4PoRsgJBq3qqfy9xkRpMSTJSrgepFKRmCZI2lKugLzYTS-58aTsl6VWcDr_22HN5C7v9g/s400/Nov+09+187.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>A little later Jen took her son Logan over to see him and look what he gave her!!! ↓ SEE I TOLD YOU! <span style="font-size:130%;">I JUST KNEW IT!!!</span> It IS him!!!!</strong><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OeClaF3ReN3io8OlLxuT8di0vY7hTgMLaRpyc-qBMZ0xjOCrqUNSHk5ELyeaS6qK09ZtYnloQqYbykxrLMXv5RfecX55SP0xwTgLD5R_d1oWvd_eKvHiaX77qtcDLEdOtvQy4fJjgFA/s1600/Nov+09+200.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OeClaF3ReN3io8OlLxuT8di0vY7hTgMLaRpyc-qBMZ0xjOCrqUNSHk5ELyeaS6qK09ZtYnloQqYbykxrLMXv5RfecX55SP0xwTgLD5R_d1oWvd_eKvHiaX77qtcDLEdOtvQy4fJjgFA/s400/Nov+09+200.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>We stayed and watched the Holiday Light Parade. HUGE crowds even though it was FREEZING!!!</strong><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitsi2nDuhujBhk933tZPRvVxdeFe8ovqD4sO5XlMIwm76B-Dr5fLiN34CeiR6RiXF3Kc9g79FhkQDxdIK_ByHkYvKmmJEi6y_q-CvPyVPmJ-RaX32n8HprYj_wKXkd0nHP18EdWnk3gk/s1600/Nov+096.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitsi2nDuhujBhk933tZPRvVxdeFe8ovqD4sO5XlMIwm76B-Dr5fLiN34CeiR6RiXF3Kc9g79FhkQDxdIK_ByHkYvKmmJEi6y_q-CvPyVPmJ-RaX32n8HprYj_wKXkd0nHP18EdWnk3gk/s400/Nov+096.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>After the parade (well, after WE had seen enough) we all walked to Costa Vida to eat dinner.</strong><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj9rHa3vdp1Etq0WF5lqMT0i5XoFyo5BPcKIayQaCL5oe0cLJAZt9BgoR7EcXQZWkJV_tTmus4i7rCv5HkXK4BPtUR0LjS4sQcfsyS7WdveyKr2f5oML-gLs___hlfAoaqCOgoI5amb0/s1600/Collages41.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj9rHa3vdp1Etq0WF5lqMT0i5XoFyo5BPcKIayQaCL5oe0cLJAZt9BgoR7EcXQZWkJV_tTmus4i7rCv5HkXK4BPtUR0LjS4sQcfsyS7WdveyKr2f5oML-gLs___hlfAoaqCOgoI5amb0/s400/Collages41.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">A HO-HO time was had by all!!! I can't wait for next year!!!</span></strong><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/100/9AB65D3FBBF4764D551319A914FA884B.png" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;"> </span></div>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-29141087005409752012009-11-10T15:14:00.000-07:002014-11-12T15:33:23.606-07:00I am still alive...really<span style="color: #000066; font-size: 130%;"><b>You know there's been ENOUGH winter when...</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ff9900;">Slacker</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> <span style="color: yellow;">Slacker</span></span> <span style="color: #33ff33; font-size: 180%;">Slacker!!! </span><br /><span style="color: #33ff33; font-size: 180%;"></span><br /><span style="color: #33ff33; font-size: 180%;"><span style="color: #000099;">ME!</span></span></b><br />
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This winter has been a bigger challenge to keep running for me than last year. Last year I was out in the very freezin' temps nearly every day. I was a <span style="color: #00cccc; font-size: 180%;"><b>he-woman!</b></span> This year I have been a <span style="color: #ffcccc; font-size: 180%;"><b>she-man.</b></span> Not sure what that means but it seems like it would be the opposite of he-woman and so I am going to use it.<br />
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Last year my cut off temp was<span style="color: red; font-size: 180%;"> 11 degrees</span>. This year it started about 28 and then kept going up, and now it's about 40! I am not a fan of the cold. I did my best and went out as frequently as my <span style="color: #cc66cc; font-size: 180%;"><b>wimpy body</b></span> would tolerate, but then I discovered the treadmill. I have never owned a treadmill. Now I know why. When the weather got to be <span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 180%;"><b>too dangerous</b></span> with ice packed roads and snow covered streets, I decided to stay at the gym after my Body Sculpt (weight training) class and run on the treadmill. I never run farther than about three miles on it though and so I know I am losing some of my stamina. I have learned one thing though....<span style="color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;">I HATE THE TREADMILL!</span></b></span>I don't like to see how far I still have left to go when I am already feeling like <span style="color: #993399; font-size: 180%;"><b>killing over.</b></span> When I am outside running it isn't an issue how much time I have left. I know how much farther I have to go and that has never been something I focus on when I am outside. There is something to be said for <span style="color: #66cccc; font-size: 180%;"><b>fresh air</b></span> and being out in the world around others. They also added two cardio classes at the gym that I attend each week that helps to substitute for a couple of runs. I enjoy them even if it is a pain to get up at<span style="color: red; font-size: 180%;"> <b>5:30 a.m</b>.</span> five days a week now.<br />
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There hasn't been any races to train for either and so that has contributed to my <span style="color: #9999ff; font-size: 180%;"><b>lack of motivation</b></span> to get out as well. I was asked to be part of a team for the <span style="color: #33ff33;"><b><span style="font-size: 180%;">Wasatch Back</span> </b></span>in June or July and I am having serious doubts if I can do it or not. It sounds very grueling, in many ways harder than a marathon. I have been really<span style="color: silver; font-size: 180%;"> stressing</span> about that.<br />
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I just want winter to <span style="color: #cc33cc; font-size: 180%;"><b>END</b></span> so I can get back out there and enjoy my runs again! Has anyone else ever got in a winter rut before? I hope I haven't lost too much in my <span style="color: #6633ff; font-size: 180%;"><b>slump!</b></span>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-84507641421361112512009-11-04T16:12:00.003-07:002009-11-04T16:20:24.034-07:00I'M BACK!!!! I FIXED IT!!!! YIPEE!!!<span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Well, I have been</strong></span> <span style="font-size:180%;color:#00cccc;">AWOL </span><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>from this blog for</strong></span> <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">NINE MONTHS!!!!</span> <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Yes NINE!!!! That is because I lost the ability to see and read the posts! Yes, this little section of what you are currently reading simply.... </strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>VANISHED!</strong></span> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">DISAPPEARED!</span> <span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;">VAMOOSHED!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">I really had<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"> NO</span> idea what happened. It is impossible to get a hold of blogger and so I asked other bloggers but no one had any idea. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;"> </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Then the other night as I was laying in bed, the thought occured to me to take off the last post to see if that had some glitch in it that may have caused it. I honestly didn't think it would help, but<span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff66;"> VIOLA!</span> back to normal! YEA!!!! It was the photo in the post that seemed to be the problem. No more picture! Small price to pay to have my blog back!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Now the problem will be to see if I can keep it updated! I have slacked off with my regular one and so I hope I can keep this one going. The other problem is I am positive I have lost ALL my readers...of course! Oh well, maybe someone will stumble onto it and find something worth commenting on!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc33cc;">YIPPEE!!!!!</span></strong>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-44720084590836444382009-09-07T14:38:00.001-06:002010-05-04T14:39:47.600-06:00Peach Days 10K<strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">This year I ran my third Peach Days 10K. I was not as prepared for it this year as the last two years, but what the heck, I did it anyway. </span></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW5QGZWgPMz4ooyuKSlhHU2tEXTohC5je3jqsCHykXHZBpt3mE27GT0nRDCeo73L7UMbk9WGkhQn0HrwYGSW9v-20QnItf08gHe8-Tod_0vyxwOEEfiYpSqn7T7irSaogffd_0oO31Kk/s1600-h/September+09+137.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW5QGZWgPMz4ooyuKSlhHU2tEXTohC5je3jqsCHykXHZBpt3mE27GT0nRDCeo73L7UMbk9WGkhQn0HrwYGSW9v-20QnItf08gHe8-Tod_0vyxwOEEfiYpSqn7T7irSaogffd_0oO31Kk/s400/September+09+137.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"><br />Heading out the door↑</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">"Trying" to head out the door! ↓ Yes I am on the phone! Talking to Sego Lily telling them I am going to be needing a massage soon!</span></strong> :D<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmrKdG0PK3-8dY37tTddFq0yPrKnnkjXqKQ6-DgtKhDh4igLnVXR1DHGHW3cU9oTn5PQsw-hipKbg1xvkKegsu-e51vx-SWCPj1kQ0X_FkvX4Y2ymTh4q9zt94g1Gxp5bLK7p4hD_pGQ/s1600-h/September+09+138.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmrKdG0PK3-8dY37tTddFq0yPrKnnkjXqKQ6-DgtKhDh4igLnVXR1DHGHW3cU9oTn5PQsw-hipKbg1xvkKegsu-e51vx-SWCPj1kQ0X_FkvX4Y2ymTh4q9zt94g1Gxp5bLK7p4hD_pGQ/s400/September+09+138.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>In the parking lot before the race...getting ready to make a run for it.</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONRCskKOy83sqP95kxhJowYnILVV1kPcjXNL-iNZ5s_sz9QqaW5pVO3L31XAqiVW_OGZpUWKbutjZeLeFaovQ531k6FLA4MaBGsqrMEhGheT6Dpu2bu7QzDVVXRMRnbEfgrfLjYM9KMk/s1600-h/September+09+140.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONRCskKOy83sqP95kxhJowYnILVV1kPcjXNL-iNZ5s_sz9QqaW5pVO3L31XAqiVW_OGZpUWKbutjZeLeFaovQ531k6FLA4MaBGsqrMEhGheT6Dpu2bu7QzDVVXRMRnbEfgrfLjYM9KMk/s400/September+09+140.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">I really wish I had a picture of the racers all lined up before the gun went off. There were a<span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;"> LOT</span> of racers again this year! Almost <span style="font-size:180%;color:#66cccc;">400!</span> The conditions were NOT very conducive to getting a good time because the <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">WIND</span> was just blowing and pushing so hard. The temp was perfect, but the WIND was a pain! Running against the wind is one of the hardest and most grueling energy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">depleters</span> there is for a runner. It's ten times worse when it's <span style="font-size:180%;color:#6633ff;">uphill!</span> There is a part on the course that has a killer uphill, and this year, the wind happened to be the worst at that point. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">I was<span style="color:#993399;"> <span style="font-size:180%;">trying so hard</span></span> to get catch up to a couple of big guys so they could break the wind for me. I kept pushing it and pushing it so I could. Going uphill on the hardest part of the course is not a good idea when the wind is blowing so hard against you. I felt like I was running in <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">slow motion</span> because even though I was really pushing it, it felt like I was barely moving. When I finally got behind my big wind breakers, I didn't notice any change. Other than I was <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff99ff;">exhausted!</span> Luckily after I reached the top of the hill, I had about half mile of downhill to recover.</span></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLofwqRmDbi87sAn67xKWciSdISB2UOZy7Y6_hob4n1_S9k4bEuUlmi7l2TE_vVHyG5EOA9ffTHlaBZ5w-fkt12nnJibF-7Q3tKctGQkth0InSj3BqEkpNOK0D8d_QKUQZ59hGaIrreX0/s1600-h/untitled.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLofwqRmDbi87sAn67xKWciSdISB2UOZy7Y6_hob4n1_S9k4bEuUlmi7l2TE_vVHyG5EOA9ffTHlaBZ5w-fkt12nnJibF-7Q3tKctGQkth0InSj3BqEkpNOK0D8d_QKUQZ59hGaIrreX0/s400/untitled.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLofwqRmDbi87sAn67xKWciSdISB2UOZy7Y6_hob4n1_S9k4bEuUlmi7l2TE_vVHyG5EOA9ffTHlaBZ5w-fkt12nnJibF-7Q3tKctGQkth0InSj3BqEkpNOK0D8d_QKUQZ59hGaIrreX0/s1600-h/untitled.jpg"></a></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Still running. This was just after the hard hill and wind! Only about half way. That's why I'm still smiling and giving the thumbs up.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vkmpUfl9piReptAxaHCMH2C7ad5NTcWTCIyuYA9nUDC2JY-v-XbjQGDyc9Xtr1YKza46F1v3adKcD1D-r1IeMJvz1wtag77R9dWZWtAKLUomgDr7J0q_faj5URrWo1y5o2kjwjOeG-I/s1600-h/9325_1201979418850_1509523882_535629_6147277_n.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vkmpUfl9piReptAxaHCMH2C7ad5NTcWTCIyuYA9nUDC2JY-v-XbjQGDyc9Xtr1YKza46F1v3adKcD1D-r1IeMJvz1wtag77R9dWZWtAKLUomgDr7J0q_faj5URrWo1y5o2kjwjOeG-I/s400/9325_1201979418850_1509523882_535629_6147277_n.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLofwqRmDbi87sAn67xKWciSdISB2UOZy7Y6_hob4n1_S9k4bEuUlmi7l2TE_vVHyG5EOA9ffTHlaBZ5w-fkt12nnJibF-7Q3tKctGQkth0InSj3BqEkpNOK0D8d_QKUQZ59hGaIrreX0/s1600-h/untitled.jpg"></a></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The course goes right past my cul-de-sac. Almost to my house. So tempting to go up and grab some Gatorade and a little nap!</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">The last part of the race is a steady <span style="font-size:180%;color:#cccccc;">TWO mile uphill</span> climb that you run in front of the parade spectators. The <span style="font-size:180%;color:#6633ff;">good thing</span> about it is that there are so many people cheering you on when you need it the most. The <span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;">bad thing</span> is that if you want to quit, you don't dare! Well, maybe that's a good thing too! </span></strong></p><br /><br /><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">I have to admit, this was the <span style="font-size:180%;color:#9999ff;">FIRST race</span> I have ever ran that I honestly wanted to quit. Either that or <span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">DIE first!!!</span> Not even the two half <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">marathons</span> were this hard. I was really feeling it and wasn't sure if I had it in me what it took to cross that finish line this year. <span style="font-size:180%;color:#339999;">I kept pushing it</span> and began looking for my fam. My sister-in-law told me where she was going to be saving a spot for all of us. When I finally got to that point, I saw her on her cell phone and a male runner that had <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">just collapsed</span> laying on her tarp. He didn't look so good, but I kept going knowing she had it under control. Each year, there are runners that collapse or are taken off in an <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">ambulance.</span> I have to admit the thought crossed my mind that if I fake a collapse then I won't have to finish this! In fact, I was beginning to think I might not need to <span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;">"fake"</span> it. As I kept running uphill towards that much desired finish line, an ambulance came rushing by me. I was certain it was going to the man on my SIL's tarp. I was right. (See sidenote at bottom)</span></strong></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>I don't know where it came from, but I found what I needed to cross the finish line. <span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">It was hard</span>. It was very hard, but I did it. I don't know what made it so tough for me this year, other than the wind. Most runners were complaining about how much harder it felt this year. The Peach Days course is touted as the <span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;">hardest 10K in the state</span>. Runners come from all over for the challenge. This year there were runners from</strong> <strong>Canada, New York, Hollywood, and all over the west.</strong></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>My friend Mont (on right) about to storm across the finish line.</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3bSbvfJClpSTgedIpUjJWpM_n6iFJlKjKn9sSdfBmSH6Ho8R1wIvdblsw87ufpHmfl0d-sU_iN8yRilpyvvaK4Rd-wPkBV3frwDYvM9pVK528Iv8_4A3fPr7vfbUMxPDKYpQah5QjZ0/s1600-h/September+09+046.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3bSbvfJClpSTgedIpUjJWpM_n6iFJlKjKn9sSdfBmSH6Ho8R1wIvdblsw87ufpHmfl0d-sU_iN8yRilpyvvaK4Rd-wPkBV3frwDYvM9pVK528Iv8_4A3fPr7vfbUMxPDKYpQah5QjZ0/s400/September+09+046.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>Oh! Almost there! NOTHING has looked this good to me in a very long time!!!<br /></strong></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fkLSYx0eSpYBngGw7OHQn1HdM0-3R1XsKdPRyw-H79b4Dl5wK8g9nYm8GNqmqrB7L1zNwIF83TYEVQ-4PrWYYw8yC5akrvcD6N2lvV-ReXajlVJBpP2svj0F89JM2F_W0X_VRGA9Wzk/s1600-h/September+09+047.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fkLSYx0eSpYBngGw7OHQn1HdM0-3R1XsKdPRyw-H79b4Dl5wK8g9nYm8GNqmqrB7L1zNwIF83TYEVQ-4PrWYYw8yC5akrvcD6N2lvV-ReXajlVJBpP2svj0F89JM2F_W0X_VRGA9Wzk/s400/September+09+047.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>I REALLY wanted to beat my last year's time. Just missed it by a minute! Guess that's not too bad considering the wind really slowed me down. At this point, all I wanted was to STOP running!!!</strong></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpo18qQj6XXU3lp1G4Ysfp9tYVMIV-GgEo3gUtbZzqu91g0c_aHa_w4ZUthesS92iy-m_to0G8hdkLbTJ2HEpDB0v0F4gAUu7v0k4da2_LrjfUnLGnEXo_dHvpWeZTqI5q9LbydWvLP4/s1600-h/September+09+049.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpo18qQj6XXU3lp1G4Ysfp9tYVMIV-GgEo3gUtbZzqu91g0c_aHa_w4ZUthesS92iy-m_to0G8hdkLbTJ2HEpDB0v0F4gAUu7v0k4da2_LrjfUnLGnEXo_dHvpWeZTqI5q9LbydWvLP4/s400/September+09+049.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>WATER! I NEED water!!! This is the first race EVER that I sat down! It was also the first ever that I felt nauseated after I stopped. I was feeling EVERY inch of those six miles! Luckily, I started to feel much better after about 20 minutes.</strong> </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQvgDx1hBdyuJXKOBHO7SfGP030WEoocguGMcGM-0PemxWLkUr8G3e9ectkTN3qWOQkf_KDKfAIKQvfg0wCuoMFIQpR5Iip_PzXR0EafJ-KDmYm7tFKfTDk24aBN8e9DcVXxh8iCEwT4/s1600-h/September+091.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQvgDx1hBdyuJXKOBHO7SfGP030WEoocguGMcGM-0PemxWLkUr8G3e9ectkTN3qWOQkf_KDKfAIKQvfg0wCuoMFIQpR5Iip_PzXR0EafJ-KDmYm7tFKfTDk24aBN8e9DcVXxh8iCEwT4/s400/September+091.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>Wow! Even a smile! Jen, ALWAYS my supportive friend, asking me how it went.</strong></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeG1At0jEYqHcuxj4Thh-4cP2C6h4D2Ile1ckarCPsQZbHe-ouCpAE-B7d6XUjzNMr6VIiJqyhsx7Y7Jpcqb4ZC_X1SsBcXnI4d88zY4i7Vn0YundvPVDcBNz2jwvr9p1GjVjBrsqkRM/s1600-h/September+09+052.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeG1At0jEYqHcuxj4Thh-4cP2C6h4D2Ile1ckarCPsQZbHe-ouCpAE-B7d6XUjzNMr6VIiJqyhsx7Y7Jpcqb4ZC_X1SsBcXnI4d88zY4i7Vn0YundvPVDcBNz2jwvr9p1GjVjBrsqkRM/s400/September+09+052.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>Survivors of the grueling 2009 Peach Days torture run! ↓</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>Julie, Mont, and me. Mont is holding our pal Mike's number because he had to "dash" off.</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9glPgNQqSA8oeilGD4yGTANNA9o_mRxy_1YTznecBgqAGJoAB03dqNWmPe-ejBCFNbRGLXsMWqS9EMjov_FPWIsIB6qv1e5-l8TxyYj7v-ddnIQn3Eh7lIxiFvOGHb7TGiGYgUeVcHc/s1600-h/September+09+055.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9glPgNQqSA8oeilGD4yGTANNA9o_mRxy_1YTznecBgqAGJoAB03dqNWmPe-ejBCFNbRGLXsMWqS9EMjov_FPWIsIB6qv1e5-l8TxyYj7v-ddnIQn3Eh7lIxiFvOGHb7TGiGYgUeVcHc/s400/September+09+055.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>So happy we made it and lived to tell about it!</strong> <strong>And I am NOT joking about this either!!! (read SIDENOTE at bottom)<br /></strong></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8643MPWIZTJt7Ru5W5BBbOUe8SjktnPosOGCFEXiX7hIhc8aLyRXmpmvrueNfygH37gZk4WSB_NihlGMsPqhIyWN1er62aQScirobGtDXGGjqf6QNEIR32EldjPVxi5uSfObd2JWoC8/s1600-h/September+09+056.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8643MPWIZTJt7Ru5W5BBbOUe8SjktnPosOGCFEXiX7hIhc8aLyRXmpmvrueNfygH37gZk4WSB_NihlGMsPqhIyWN1er62aQScirobGtDXGGjqf6QNEIR32EldjPVxi5uSfObd2JWoC8/s400/September+09+056.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>The best part was I got a MEDAL!!!! I placed third in my age division! WOOT-WOOT!!! I was sooooooooo happy!!! Was NOT expecting that!!! I came in 153rd out of 389 runners! Not bad, for an old woman!!! Especially considering the majority of runners are much younger than I am! Well, I don't want to emphasize "much", but you know what I mean! Ha!</strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmW0mweFS8HeZoMuKzYwWIpeVmITUMDqqfeu_sO9n1kUQkznvbtyYLlQsdQ5JoPPWzh81Sz4_qG6ttSdtkWuumyM7zZWW6WcKIFeQ5_N3oFHhKjOobCngDkvecVAVNjgJWUEzQx_ABiy0/s1600-h/September+09+057.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmW0mweFS8HeZoMuKzYwWIpeVmITUMDqqfeu_sO9n1kUQkznvbtyYLlQsdQ5JoPPWzh81Sz4_qG6ttSdtkWuumyM7zZWW6WcKIFeQ5_N3oFHhKjOobCngDkvecVAVNjgJWUEzQx_ABiy0/s400/September+09+057.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mv-ex7ZG251AbgDxOYj_zFnGkqItb61YbZ6PUGZarpgFlZVjxfh4ap9Xa4yC5SQnLXsMYrCCW9kGDztYOyNllHVgno9tunulRUujVf4I6eZv03VOi_O_m57aicQGDscnTc4wWl4WIPM/s1600-h/September+09+058.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mv-ex7ZG251AbgDxOYj_zFnGkqItb61YbZ6PUGZarpgFlZVjxfh4ap9Xa4yC5SQnLXsMYrCCW9kGDztYOyNllHVgno9tunulRUujVf4I6eZv03VOi_O_m57aicQGDscnTc4wWl4WIPM/s400/September+09+058.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">Me and my medal!!!!</span></strong><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMElPP4ZDgvzEenkK75zS1_KDStkfCbkAaOi9Etime6-0MV4K1V2uZffTL0Pb6BQTo56okLRQN7G-7cM88vrOyaRPNHamp2hkFvNAlJWffw33rHA_RUhA6NnB_wtfDBXgjQmwHfVHJmw/s1600-h/September+09+067.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMElPP4ZDgvzEenkK75zS1_KDStkfCbkAaOi9Etime6-0MV4K1V2uZffTL0Pb6BQTo56okLRQN7G-7cM88vrOyaRPNHamp2hkFvNAlJWffw33rHA_RUhA6NnB_wtfDBXgjQmwHfVHJmw/s400/September+09+067.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#ff9900;">Another Peach Days 10K down! I hope next year's is a little more of a fun run! Fun run? Did I say that? I am sure <em>that's</em> an oxymoron!</span></span></strong></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em><br /><br /><br />VERY SAD SIDENOTE:</em></span></strong></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>The runner that collapsed and was laying on my SIL's tarp, didn't make it. He stopped breathing and the paramedics were unable to revive him. He was only 32 years old (I believe) and a seasoned runner. He ultimately died of cardiac arrest, but I still haven't heard the report on the autopsy. It has been very hard on my sister in law as she was the one that saw him start to stagger in the road and so she went up to him and asked if he was okay. He didn't respond and so she helped get him off the road and onto her tarp. He collapsed on her before she could get him all the way off the street. Several people started CPR, but were never able to get a pulse. Once the ambulance arrived, they shocked his heart, but no avail. It was very sad. Isn't running supposed to be GOOD for you???</strong></span></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; CLEAR: both"></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/100/9AB65D3FBBF4764D551319A914FA884B.png" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-33226283488971080082009-08-05T15:29:00.000-06:002014-11-12T15:30:14.268-07:00Running Quotes<div>
1. "You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement." - Steve Prefontaine<br />
2. "I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." -Jesse Owens<br />
3. "The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare." -Juma Ikangaa, 1989 NYC Marathon winner<br />
4. "In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." -Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder<br />
5. "Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it." -Oprah Winfrey<br />
6. "Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about." -PattiSue Plumer, U.S. Olympian<br />
7. "Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'" - Peter Maher, Canadian marathon runner<br />
8. "We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable." -Sir Roger Bannister, first runner to run a sub-4 minute mile<br />
9. "Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'." -Paul Tergat, Kenyan professional marathoner<br />
10. "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." -John Bingham, running speaker and writer </div>
Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961977355207680134.post-86398203787091021122009-08-04T15:23:00.000-06:002014-11-12T15:29:46.087-07:00You Know You're a Runner When...<div>
when you've run, showered, and eaten breakfast (twice) before your family/roommates even wake up.<br />
when your family knows that you will run on Thanksgiving and Christmas (or other holidays you celebrate) no matter what.<br />
when your friends no longer look at you like you're nuts because they know it for sure.<br />
when you forget birthdays and anniversaries, even major holidays, but never the date of your next race.<br />
when you have to make a real effort to remember to talk to your (non-running) family and friends about something other than running.<br />
when your family plans vacations based on where your next marathon will be.<br />
when your non-running family and friends know the differences between feet that are neutral, over-pronating, and supinating.<br />
when you run so much that your family has a separate laundry basket for your running clothes.<br />
when people stop asking you if you are going to run today, but rather ask you when.<br />
when you tell people you ran a 10k and you are shocked that people think that is a long run.<br />
when you call four miles an easy day.<br />
when you try to convince people to run a 5k because it's "only" three miles.<br />
when you no longer have to explain to your friends why cotton isn't the best choice for running attire.<br />
when you come back after an hour-long run and your spouse says, "That was fast. I didn't expect you back so soon."<br />
when you smirk at people who tell you that you run too much or are crazy for enjoying a run. </div>
Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11872904214528321153noreply@blogger.com0