Another Saturday...another race! But, look at that time would ya?!?
You have one of two thoughts running through your head right now - WOW! She busted a move on that 5K and has finally learned how to run fast OR Hmmm, something is amiss...the course must've been short. One of these thoughts would mean you know me well, the other - wishful thinking! Yes, the course was short.
I woke up early and met Chad as he did his 20 miler along Shaggy Mountain and did the 10.5 loop from my house. I stopped my watch and didn't restart it until we'd stopped again (twice) so my splits and mileage are all screwed up. I referenced the mileage from when I'd done this before. A near perfect morning and I actually ran all of the mud hill on the far side of the loop! Only walked a couple times the whole route. That is saying a lot for me and my legs that didn't want to move and an uncooperative gut from eating Leatherbys at 11:00 the night before! (James Taylor concert! It was fantastic except for the part where we got cheated out of parking and downtown was crazy crowded and we ended up parking past the capitol and we ran the 1/2 mile downhill shoeless in our dresses to get to the concert before they closed doors! It had already started. But, it was worth it. Fun, memorable adventure anyway). The last couple miles downhill were 7:51 and 7:26. At least I have the good miles on the garmin :)
My friend came and picked me up for Charlee's Angels 5K. She was running it as her first 5K and since I had turned her onto the race and I didn't have anything else that morning I felt obligated to go with her. I told her I wanted to get some tempo miles on tired legs at the race, but that I'd come back and run her in. Charlee is a cute little 5 year old struggling with Batton's disease. When the race says they are raising funeral funds...how could you NOT contribute?!? So, Tania, Derek, Kristy (first timer) and I drove to So Jordan and got ready to race.
I saw Peggy Peterson there and it was great to visit for a minute. She'd just done her 20 miler (surprise, surprise) and was going to "just run" I told her I wanted to push some tempo miles so she could "just run" with me while I tried to kill myself :) We all got to meet Charlee (what a beautiful little girl and a heartbreaking story!!) and then we were off. It was quite a congested first 1/5 of a mile pushing through people even though I thought I was at the front when I started. Peggy took off immediately and I tried to follow...ha! I should know better than that. Anyway, I tried to keep her in my sights and before I knew it the first mile had ticked off and I was in 2nd for females. I'll play second fiddle to Peggy anyday! That lady is amazing!!! She was kind of my first running hero :)
At the turn around I KNEW we were not at 1.55 miles. It had been much too close to the 1 mile click. Oh well, everyone is running the same course. After the loop as I doubled back on the course I got to see some lovely friends and get some 5's and encouragement. I also saw Aaron and Michelle running and got a good "you suck" out to Aaron and one in return. Always good karma!
I finished strong and when I saw the clock ticking 20:XX I just laughed. Awesome time! I beat my nephew's XC time from the day before at Murray Park. I don't need to disclose that I ran 10% less (2.78 miles). Nope, not at all :) It was nice to visit with Peggy for a minute and then I ran back on the course, grabbed Kristy and brought her to the finish stretch then went back for Tania. She was walking, so I didn't get as many miles as I wanted to in afterward, but I had a great chat with her and saw Sonja too. How can you complain about great friends?!? Kristy finished in 28:XX Which is her fastest ever AP and she had a 9:20 mile for her first mile that is her fastest ever too. It is always fun to see people start to love running. If it wasn't for her knees that have had 2 surgeries on them I could probably turn her into a runner. (total 1.25 miles)
Went home and quickly showered and off to cub-o-ree to help supervise. I took Adam too since Lauren had been babysitting all the night before and all morning. Had a great time watching my boy in a splint (unable to bend his knee due to stitches from falling on his bike) climb rock walls, do stilts, feats of strength and run around. I don't know where he gets it from :) Back home, to a birthday party and as it started to rain we headed off for our SECOND race of the day.
Jordan School District was doing their 1st annual 5K Dash for fund raising and for a family of up to 8 it was only $45. A nice evening of entertainment, food and shirts for all of us? ummm...YES! It was at Daybreak too, so it was close and the kids love 5Ks anyway. Lauren wanted to run at least 4 miles so that she could feel better about her 4 mile loop in the tri next week. I told her to run the course, then come back and find us and I could then tell her how far she ran extra by looking at my garmin. I figured I'd get another 4 miles in. Someone forgot that they are a single parent right now! NO husband to stay with the walkers. After the first quarter mile or so I looked back after a turn and the boys and I were nearly last. Only about 7 people behind us. At least the rain was letting up a bit. a bit. I made David sit in the stroller with Adam on his lap and encouraged Nathan to run. We made it about 1/5 of a mile before Nathan stopped. At least there were now 20 people behind us. A while later I told Nathan he should run again and he said "No. I'm saving my energy!" "for what?!?" "the last mile" Crazy kid! After I while I resigned myself to the fact that I was going to be walking this 'race' and not running. Which puts a little thorn in my side, but since the rain had picked up and we were all soaked to the bone and my kid with a splint on was keeping up and occasionally "running" (he calls it galloping) I just resigned myself to a nice walking in the pouring rain. Sigh. Lauren came back when my garmin said 2.10. Wow, that girl had done great! When she turned Nathan decided to go with her. That kid took off! I guess he really was saving it all for the last mile. Hop along (David) was trying to get him to slow down. PLEASE NO! Lets get this over with. They all stayed ahead of me and I actually got a little more running in. I'm giving myself a total of a half mile for the running I did in the race....more to just even out the number! David had a finishing gallop and Lauren and Nathan were done and across the street. I figured out Lauren had run 4.5 miles (the course was short, again 2.9) and I was SO proud of her! She did awesome. We hung around afterward, but didn't win anything in the prizes and Lauren was 2nd for female child and they only gave prizes to 1st places. Oh well. We loaded up on yogurt and granola bars and then went to the car and got in our towels. It had been a long day and we were all ready for dinner and bed...which is right where we went!
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