I ran my first marathon as a teenager in 1981 with my Dad (The Coronado Marathon). Since then I've run St, George (3x) Utah Valley (3x) Ogden (1 full, 2 halves) Park City (1 x) Boston Marathon (1x) Washington DC (1x) Moab Half Marathon (6x) ,Ye Old Freedom Festival 5 & 10K (a million x) and many others.
But I'm all done with that now. I'm officially a jogger.
So Marion
calls yesterday and asks if I want to run 15 with some other bloggers on the
Jordan River Trail. I take a deep breath and realize I forgot all about
training for the Utah Valley Marathon. I guess I got to start ramping it
up sometime. So, um sure. So I meet her at 6:30, and it's snowing.
Not just snowing, it's blowing SNOW. Weather, I can hack it.
Sure. We get there and Marion
introduces me to Smooth, RAD, Tarzan, and Leslie. I'm thrilled it's a
whole new bunch of cool people and an undiscovered (for me) section of the river trail. A deer
crosses the trail, the river is wide and brown, the snow is sticking to the
ground for some nice traction (it's also pelting us in the eyeballs). I
ran for a bit with RAD when Smooth came along and we started up the hills.
I had never run this trail so was following on faith. Somewhere around 5
miles, I realize the others are no where behind us. But that's ok they
tell me. So get to know RAD (training for her first Marathon) and Smooth (a 12 time Boston
finisher and whose 52 year old, 4"11 self defies all logic). Who in the world could be that cute and tough. I loved it. The
miles go by in spite of the snow, but somewhere after 12ish, I start slowing a
bit. They were
keeping a really steady 9 mm pace and I needed to slow it down. My mileage has been inconsistant the cold was shrinking my ham, hurting my hip in the way of the SGM injury. I followed
them to the end of the trail and let them go ahead. I ran for what seemed
like forever, started to miss my dogs and my can of mace, saw a flock of white
Pelicans. Yes, Pelicans. Who knew Saratoga
Springs had pelicans. A whole flock sitting on
the marsh flew away and the sound was heart stopping. Pelicans are so
big. It reminded me of Baja so I thought about my Dad and my sister for a while. Man this run was taking forever.
I got a little lost in a multi-dimensional segment of the trail near a
campground, and luckily found Leslie and Marion. My ham was killing me, the snow had frozen every ligament and my feet and socks were soaked. We get to the car
and these people have a spread on the tailgate that could feed a
football team (in spite of the pouring snow). So we drank hot chocolate
in our wet shoes, shivering and hypothermic trying to replenish. Sat in the car, laughed, a bit, and ate some more. Then someone
asks Smooth, how far we went (keep in mind I thought we were all running 14 or
15) and she says "Oh a little over 17." No wonder that kicked
my butt. I was not ready for those last 2 miles. I need to be doing better during the weekdays. But they made up for 100 fold with the thermoses and muffins.
Man, those ultra marathoners know how to throw a tailgate party. It was
so great to meet everyone and see a new part of the trail. I can't wait
to go back (I promise to bring the fruit next time!).
Saucony ProGrid V Miles: 17.00
Comments
From Amber on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 15:09:25 from 64.255.88.143
Nice Job! Way to conquer the elements, , and I'm glad you found your way back to the food, that's most important!
From leslie on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 15:12:47 from 76.23.61.78
It was fun to meet you!! I am so glad we found you out on the trail. It was a great time, even in the crappy contions! It is always nice to have a new running buddy!
From luzylew on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 15:26:01 from 69.169.165.206
Me too. I can't wait for a next time. Maybe the weather will give us a treat in the next few weeks. I'm going to think of something great to bring to the tail gate...You guys seriously rock.
From RAD on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 15:33:00 from 67.166.99.8
Luzy! I had a great time with you this morning. Smooth and I were worried that you might get lost at the park/campground...I'm really glad you found Marion and leslie. We also wondered if you knew you were doing 17 with us and not the 15 that Marion was planning, so I'm glad you got through it and I hope your hip doesn't smack you for doing it too :)
I hated to leave, but I didn't realize it was PAST 10 when we finished! I was supposed to be home by 10 to work/babysit (I watch foster kids with disabilities so the foster families can get a break). Luckily, it was my neighbor and she understands my craziness with running! Hope you enjoyed the muffins and juice and company, like I told you running for me is a social event and you MUST have food at a social event :) Hope to see you again on the trail! We love it and make it there almost every Saturday, so I'll keep you up to date with plans when we go again.
From Smooth on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 15:44:19 from 71.36.85.29
Luzy!!! It was a pleasure and delight to meet you!!! You're a wonderful running partner. SORRY about the extra 2.25 miles we MADE you run. You're one tough cookie. I was worried about you getting lost by Willow Park. Thankgoodness, Leslie and Marion found you. I want to tell you I believe in the mission of the Kidney Foundation. You and the Foundation do wonderful things. Oh, I'm a 53 year old grandma and am only 4'10.5"; don't forget the 0.5". I sure hope you will join us again. Yes, we believe in tailgate party!
From luzylew on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 16:08:10 from 69.169.165.206
I still can't believe it. You defy all natural law. Plus you're funny. Sorry I couldn't keep up there at the last, the extra bit was unexpected for me. But thanks for the push. I need to get myself in order for UVM and have been quite undisciplined lately. You guys made uphill, against the wind, 17 miles in the snow the funnest it could have ever been. Can't wait to do it again.
From Maurine/Tarzan on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 16:18:43 from 97.117.61.168
I think my eyeballs finally unfroze from the snow. I'm glad to be back inside again for good. Time to finally hit the shower when a song comes on.
So good to meet you. You were one of the 5 musketeers of the day!
From Marion on Sat, Apr 04, 2009 at 17:34:01 from 71.213.124.146
I think we are the SIX Musketeers! Thanks for coming Luz! Running is super cool and SUPER hard all at the same time! We need GREAT friends and good food to make it all the way! We have got a bunch of long runs coming up! I am here for the super slow you need :) Let's see, 17, 18 and then 19 and 20! HOLY COW!!! so that is only 4 more long runs, plus the BIGGIE!!!
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