Who loves PIONEER DAY? I DO! I got a Gold Medal and everything. I was actually planning a 10 mile run today, but Camden suggested the Pioneer Day 10K Classic in Provo. It's a hilly course, which I love, so I thought putting my thick pioneer calf muscles to good use today would be a great tribute to my Danish grandmother who came across the plains with one of Handcart Companies. I ran a 2.5 mile warm up up and down University Ave. and then went to meet Camden who is staying at her mom's (.4 from the start). It was so home-town, but well organized. I was excited about "the hill" ("Goliath" as they were promoting it). They even had a bag-piper at the foot of it playing for the runners. It's not like I PR'd or anything, But I got first in my age division and 31st overall (well, there were only like 200 people in the race). But it was a good run. I kept it steady and strong. I loved the uphill parts and found a great downhill stride, but lost a little steam on the last mile (mostly because I was mis-directed by a volunteer right before mile 5 who shuted me into the 5K race, where a block later, another volunteer recognized my 10K sticker and told me to go back (I had missed the 10K turn). It's ok, a few extra tenths today. Jeff won the whole thing (but technically tied because of some glitch with the chip). He needed a ride home because his wife had to take the car to get to work. So I gave him a ride. He still had to get to work himself. I was thinking, what is that like? Get up in the morning, take first in a race, get a little money and a beautiful winners watch, and then head off to work. I guess I'll never know.... because I have the day off. My daughter loved my gold medal and has been wearing it for half an hour. I said "live it up sweety, that may be Mama's only gold medal EVER." It's no Deseret News Marathon, but Happy Pioneer Day! |