MARATHON #3

 I MADE MY GOAL!!!

Night before the race. Goal 3:15!

What a great course. I had all the downhill on my side! If it wasn't for the potty and aid stations I could of made it to the finish line faster. All in all I am happy with my results. I had family and friends cheering me on from the app and talked to good people during the race which made it more meaningful.

Jessica and I barely made it to the top in the nice Greyhound busses. We pulled up went potty and through our bags in the truck as it was pulling away. I forgot to get my gloves off which was a bummer because even in California at the top of mountain it is pretty cold. Luckily Jessica found some on the ground, that I swiped.

We started off strong but not to fast and wonder if I should of took the hills and a few of the earlier miles a bit faster. Maybe I could of stayed up with Jessica (who got 3:09) if I didn't take the potty break and pushed my early miles a bit more.

I felt great for running a downhill marathon. The only annoyance was a cramp in my toe which I think has something to do with my nutrition. I tried to take time and not take time at aid stations. (get it LOL) I constantly kept eating but had a hard time with my oatmeal and bagel before the race. My stomach wasn't up to it.

Here is a picture of a friend I made and ran a lot of the race with until he took off way ahead of me.

Loved running and talking with good people but was happy setting my own pace alone.

Really tried to push my pace for the last 2 miles but it was a lot harder because it flattened out. I came into the finish line running hard and happy!

That felt so GOOD! Best marathon I have ever ran and loved the course!

1st Ultra RACE

ANTELOPE CANYON

Before the race...all smiles.

After the race...still smiles but beat.

Never thought about running these kind of distances before but when you hang out with the right crowd you find yourself testing your limits. It is hard to say no to a race with some of the most picturesque slot canyons in the world. See the beautify and run at the same time!!! Those two things are a big part of who I am. I love to see all the beauty this world has and I love to run. Plus I have awesome friends to experience it with.

I have never ran an Ultra race before so there was no expectations. I gave myself a 12 hour goal. Not knowing how much the sand would slow me down or the aid stations. Sad to say I didn't reach that goal but happy to say I made it just before dark. Finished with no injuries and all in one piece. See my results HERE.

Decided to mostly stick with Jessica because it made it more fun! Oh yes it did! We played and took way to many pictures which was also a jab in not reaching my goal. Wonder how much time we spent taking pictures. LOL

First 10 miles we reached Antelope Canyon. Probably the most exciting part of the race other then finishing because it was the first of many spectacular views. Also we were feeling great!

We met people from everywhere on our journey!



One guy we ran with threw Antelope Canyon was from Florida and I was hoping he had some cool alligator stories but sadly no. He was excited to be away from the humidity and heat. He was worried because the extent of his mountain training was construction sights. Hearing that made me love Utah even more. We trained a lot on Antelope Island which had about the same amount of elevation as the race. It was also not winter their as opposed to all our east mountains in Utah.

I felt like our onward running journey felt pretty runnable the first 20 miles. We had a lot of fun with pictures and talking to people. One guy for LA was running for a charity that helps kids with dis functional families. He was running 100 miles that day.

Another was from the Czech Republic. Whom couldn't get his watch to work so he had no idea where he was at in milage but was happy to be running with his shirt off while he sun bathed. Also, a 100 miler racer. A lot of girls grouped together to keep each other company which is what Jessica and I decided to do even though we staggered for parts of the race. It was fun to have a buddy and it felt safer as well.

After a lot of sand and running we finally hit the aid station where we dropped a bag. Oh!!! It felt so good to change my socks and dump the sand out. Drop some warm clothes and of course we ate all the food!

We then carried on to the famous Horse Shoe Bend! 

We wasted a lot of time taking pictures and scrambling over all the slick rock. It looked like layered paper and we felt like we were breaking it.

It was like the scenery was endless. The red rock and blue sky went as far as the eye could see with no signs of life other then other runners. This was a good distraction because we didn't think about how many miles we had left or if our bodies we starting to fatigue.

Wish I had a picture of all he aid stations. They were amazing and the people were so kind and helpful. They filled our water up and cooked us all the food. One station even had a menu! This cup of noodles tasted amazing which on any other day I would of turned down. All that sodium and salt was just what my body needed. 

More Slot Canyons! YEAH!

I know one of the other slots was named Water Holes but not sure which one or what the third was called. I actually think it's all Antelope Canyon and Water Holes combined. If you know a lot about these slots please comment.

We had good stretch on running in not to deep of sand. I think it was between miles 30 and 40 where the sand got really deep. My average pace was great and when we reach the slick rock and then the deep sand I watched the average pace go up slowly. I kept trying to keep myself from slowing down but fatigue was settling in my body and the sand was hard to run in. I found myself walking more in that deep sand then running.

I felt so lucky that I never experienced any tremendous pain or injury during the race! I did feel the muscles on the back of my knees become really soar. I know! Didn't even know there are muscles there and now I know what to strengthen for the next sand race. LOL

Endless miles of desert, sand, and beautiful red rock. It was full day of peace, beautiful scenery, and endless miles of that gorgeous red rock in all shapes and designs. I got to run my heart out while I enjoyed all there was to enjoy.

Lake Powell

When I finally reached mile 38 we had a beautiful loop around Page. Breathtaking views of Lake Powell and a great running trail that took you on a outside tour of Page, AZ.

My goal was to make it across the finish line before dark.

Looks like I barely made it!

I am happy to say it was a success and that I loved every minute. When you choose to challenge your body farther then you think it can go there are so many emotions that arise and you feel them all. It is healthy to feel them all. I thought a lot about my family on this adventure. My kids and husband keep me running through the hard moments. I know my kids were cheering my on. As I listen to my music playlist I thought of my boys and their involvement in adding the right songs for running. I knew they were cheering me on. I want them to know that if Mom can run 50 miles they can do all the hard things in life. I thought about my wonderful husbands and how he wishes I would stop running but loves me no matter what. He sent my wonderful messages that lifted my spirits as a ran.

DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!

 Thunder Mountain

Definitely a top ride for mountain bikers. Here we are in beautiful red rock Moab. Our week vacation in the outdoors and I am trying to see how much adventure I can get out of my family! With all the different levels I needed one top memorable adventure with my hubby. Thunder Mountain was on the list. He is is a skilled mountain biker and I have the endurance. I think it's a good match. I just needed to convivence him we could do it.

It was a 15-16 mile loop that we ventured on and decided to just turn around when we had enough. The only problem with that is every turn our eyes were in heaven at all the beauty that surrounded us. By the time we go to the highest elevation we saw the magic of Bryce ahead and new we couldn't just make it an out and back or we would not experience Thunder Mountain.

The ride down was so much fun! We had the thrill of being on the edge.

We rode down switch backs. Man, there were some tight turns.

The ride down was so fun! What a  great adventure with my hubby!

Bell Canyon to lower falls

 An adventure with the LITTLES

It makes my heart so happy when I can share my love of running and the outdoors with my kids. Especially when they are enjoying it as much as I do.

I wanted to take all my kids on a hike Saturday afternoon (Conference weekend) but my older ones had other plans that were more fun to them. That is kind of sad because in my mind what could be more fun that being in the mountains!

The three of us it was and it turned out to be the perfect group. We started out with switchbacks which they conquered without any complaining.

I will say it was a little disappointing at the beginning. It wasn't the most stunning of fall beauty. We did get a nice overlook of Sandy, UT pretty quick so that was nice.

After the switchbacks we hit the reservoir. Of course, we had to stop and throw rocks. I don't know any kid that doesn't like to throw rocks.

Set a time limit for rock throwing or you will be there all day long. (LOL) I managed to pull them away.

Onward up to reach our goal of the waterfall!

We were all in heaven with the colors of fall surrounding us. We got a little of everything on this hike from lake to river to forest to rock climbing.

Picture doesn't give an exact feeling of how steep it was.

It got pretty steep at the end with lots of big boulders to climb over. I carried Maria on my back and then switched to my shoulders. Good workout carrying her up this technical steep hill of rocks all shapes and sizes. Greyson was determined to make it and didn't want to stop for food until the waterfall. I could tell he was running out of energy and wasn't quiet sure how much longer we had. I new it was less then a quarter mile but that can be long consider our ages and the terrain. We stopped and had a snack which gave us all the energy to make to the top.

So BEAUTIFUL! GOD never disappoints in his design of the world we live in. I think the kids felt the peace and rejuvenating spirit that comes with being in the mountains and pushing themselves physically with all the rewards it has to offer.

This is where I feel like myself, where I feel connected to God, and where peace can fill my soul.

Two little fingers in my hands as we hopped down all the big boulders. A bicep work out for me as I pulled Maria up and over all the rocks. When it became more manageable I let her fend for herself.

Couldn't be more dirty but their spirits were high as they insisted on a "trail run" down the mountain. I will never forget Greyson's ambition to run the whole way to impress me. Maria surprised us with with her technical talent to keep up as we ran down. Thank goodness because if we did walk we might of been caught in the dark. 

I will never forget Maria's words, "Mom, this is so beautiful! It is like a dream!"

See our run on Strava