Each Day Is a Gift

December 25, 2024

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Location:

UT,

Member Since:

Oct 14, 2008

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Age Division Winner

Running Accomplishments:

85 marathons, 5 times Utah Grand Slam finisher (division winner twice).

7 Bostons (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016).

Two 50Ks, one 50 miler (Pony Express).

A handful of AG wins in all distance races.

Marathon PR: 3:57:09 (Boston'08)

Half Marathon PR: 1:48:41 (Bryce Canyon '11)

10K PR: 47:50 (Spectrum 10K '09)

5K PR: 22:31 (Nestle 5K '08)

Short-Term Running Goals:

2017 Races:

June 10 - Utah Valley Marathon (5:13:43)

June 24 - Morgan Valley Marathon (5:49:01)

July 8 - Hobbler Half (2:19:37, 2nd AG)

July 24 - Temple to Temple 5K (27:43)

July 29 - Timp Half (2:08:01, 3rd AG)

Aug 26 - Mt. Nebo Marathon (5:16:16, 3rd AG)

Sep 16 - Huntsville Marathon (4:48:53)

Oct 7 - St. Geroge Marathon (4:57:11)

Nov 4 - Canyon City Marathon (5:30:07)

2018 Races:

Jan 13 - St. George Half (2:19:45, 3rd AG)

Mar 3 - The Woodlands Marathon (5:01:35)

Apr 6-7 - Ragnar So. California

June 1-2 - Ragnar Wasatch Back

June 9 - Utah Valley Marathon (5:19:22)

June 30 - Morgan Valley Half

Sep 1 - Pocatello Marathon (6:00:43)

Sep 15 - Huntsville Marathon (5:37:08)

Oct 6 - St. George Marathon (5:25:43)

Oct 20 - SoJo Marathon (5:29:23)

2019 Races:

June 1 - Utah Valley Marathon (5:44:24)

June 22 - Morgan Valley Marathon (6:15:13)

Aug 31 - Pocatello Marathon (5:38:47)

Sep 14 - Big Cottonwood Marathon (6:03:51)

Oct 5 - St. George Marathon (5:57:46)

Oct 12 - SoJo Marathon (5:55:45)

2020 Races:

Jan 18 - St. George Half (2:38:28)

Feb 15 - Sun Marathon (5:51:54)

May 5 - Conquer Covid-19 Virtual Marathon (5:49:07)

May 16 - Clear Creek Canyon Half Marathon (2:32:15)

May 25 - Utah Valley Virtual Marathon (5:33:110

June 9 - Independence Run Virtual Marathon (5:55:22)

Long-Term Running Goals:

Run happy and healthy all the days of my life. Be an example and inspiration to my family.

Personal:

I'm 64, retired RN, happily married, nana to 14 beautiful grandchildren, mother to 6 children (1 daughter, 5 sons) who are kind, hardworking, caring, wonderful people! Wish they live closer!!! :) :) :)

Picked up running in 2005 at age 50, to stay healthy so I can take care of my husband who had endocarditis resulting in AVR and MVR in 2004, end stage renal failure in 2014, kidney transplant on Dec 30, 2015. Six months after the kidney transplant, we discovered that he has a rare auto-immune disease that was probably triggered in 2004 with then the undiagnosed infective endocarditis. The doctors had to make up a name for this rare disease, Monoclono Gammopathy with Renal Significance (MGRS). It is not curable. After desperately trying different chemotherapies, the doctor finally found one immuno-therapy, Daratumamab, that works to treat the MGRS. It is a miracle!!!

Grateful for the gift of life, blessings, dear friends and loved ones!!! Thankful for the ability to move, walk, jog, and yes run!!!!

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00
Saucony Guide ISO Wide Lifetime Miles:						311.91
Saucony Guide ISO Lifetime Miles:						313.31
Sacony Guide ISO (2) Lifetime Miles:						225.26
Altra Torin (sz 7) Lifetime Miles:						44.49
Saucony Guide 10 (2020) Lifetime Miles:						60.91

Sat, Mar 31, 2012

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
18.20	0.00	0.00	0.00	18.20

7 weeks post stress fracture, 2 weeks of asthma city, 16 days 'till Boston!!! Desperately need a miracle long run!!!

All my runs in the last 3 weeks since the injury have been slow and hard. Right now my biggest hurdle is breathing. Thought I was just out of shape but the root of the problem is my asthma. Even at rest, my breathing is inhibited and I have zero energy. I desperately needed at least one 18 miler to give me a little confidence before heading to Boston. Not sure if I got it today! Sigh! :(

My guardian angel, Lowell from Pocatello, signed up to run the Riverton Half this morning; but agreed to run 18 with me. I forewarned him that I could barely hold a 10mm pace. He replied: "I'm here to run with you; not to run a race. The more time it takes the more lies we tell!" What a terrific friend! :) I did not sign up for the race, could not justify the $50 for a race that I didn't need and in no shape to race. So for the 1st time in my life, I ran bandit carrying my own water and Gu!

Met Lowell at 8am at the Riverton City Park to run 5 miles prior to the race. We ran out and back on the last 2.5 miles of the course. Thought it's a good idea to run into the wind first. It was a bit chilly with the wind. Lowell let me wore one of his windbreakers. Breathing was labored right off the bat. He tried to teach me a few songs but I could barely breath, let alone sing! :) We did have a nice chat! The turn around was at the top of the "S" hill. We saw a "pioneer" woman weeding and said hello to her twice. Saw the aid station by the cemetery and made a mental note to look alive when we'd run pass it again some 3 hours later. :) We made it back to the Park just as the race was about to start. Ran 5.1 in 50:50 (10:15, 9:50, 10:09, 9:40, 10:00) Quickly threw the jacket in the car and jumped in with the 5K runners.

We caught up to the 2:30 pace group at the 12600S traffic light. Was so fun to see Nancy, Misty, Carrie (the gal who ran Sogonapmit w/ us last year) and chatted with the back of the pack folks. The first two miles were nice with the wind to our back. I knew immediately that we were running a bit fast for me but I didn't want to loose Lowell so I tried to stay with him as best as I could. Those two miles came in at 9:26, 9:28 (the only miles in the 9s all morning)...was great while it lasted. Soon I was huffing, puffing, gasping for air when we turned east and south facing the wind. Had to take 2 puffs of my Albuterol. Lowell walked with me to make sure I got my breathing under control.

The best part of the morning was seeing RivertonPaul (actually he saw me first) around mile 3ish cheering! :) SO GREAT to see him!!! THANKS Paul for the cheer! You are AWESOME!!!!:) :) Gu'd at the first aid station which would be my 8+ mile. At the top of the first hill in some condo neighborhood, an elderly couple with couple of children were waving flags. They told us that they've been praying for us. It was the sweetest words ever heard. We stopped to have group pictures taken with them.

Lowell was so great to chat with everyone we passed. We made a few friends we leap-frog'd with: Ms prime#17 (Teena's favorite #), the FAMOUS couple, Kathryn from Sandy, Mark from Hawaii, two young ladies and others I can't remember now. We stopped to take pictures at the trail head at South County Park, we "soared" down the parkway next to the golf course.

The real tough part of the course was miles (6-8.5) on the JRP, gusty dusty headwind taking my feeble breath away, leaving gritty sand/dirt in my mouth. I coughed, sputtered, stopped, walked, gasped, nearly got hit by an oncoming cyclist whom I didn't see. Tried to duck behind the 2:20 pacer girls, one of whom was so skinny that it was useless. At the top of the hill just past mile 8, we did some "jump shots" for the camera guy. :)

We spilled out of the JRP onto 14600 S and felt an immediate relief from the wind. Took my 2nd Gu at that station. We walked with Kathryn who also ran the Buffalo 25K last week and was struggling. Stopped to fill up my water bottle at the mile 10.5 station, chatted with the volunteers. With the wind to our back, my breathing and running got better. It didn't last long once we got to the "S" hill...walked again. I read the sign explaining the naming of the "S". Made Lowell turned back to read it and took two pictures (one of myself, and another one with Lowell taken by Mark). The "friends" just shoke their heads and smiled as they ran past. Of course we soon re-passed them! Hehehe!!!

We're now running the 2.5 miles that we've run twice earlier and finally felt like I could pick up the pace. But Lowell would stop to talk to those walking. Of course we had to tell lies and stories and made them run with us. We looked so alive that the volunteers did not throw us into the cemetery. The GarnTee Roofing truck was still there. Running northbound on Redwood Rd we passed by the Senior citizens Center and no one let us in, so we took a picture in front to prove that we "were" there! I still don't know why it was a great thing to see the RMAC sign/store. At the corner before turning east, we sang our "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission" song and instructed the volunteers pointing the way that they need to make blinking signal with their fingers. We ran back and around the photographer twice to make sure he got our jump shots! One last left turn then saw the finish arch (for the 3rd time) and sprinted towards it. I peeled off to the side of the arch and stopped my Garmin at mile 13.1 in 2:20:55, my SLOWEST half marathon EVER!!! :)

Watched Lowell got his medal, then walked into the big tent to Teena's PT school's booth. The booth was very well done, very professional and so was Teena! :) Went to the award ceremony, cheered Walter, the champ, Tyler, ChadR, Nancy, Keith, Teena and Lowell (both got 3rd in their respective AGs). It was great to see Kelli, JulieC, RAD, JoseJ, AndyB, Rachelle, did I miss anybody? Would've taken 1st in my AG, had I registered. BUT the fun I had running with Lowell and being with friends was priceless.

Had a busy afternoon and evening with friends and family. As in previous runs, I am feeling totally wiped out. It is so discouraging to run so out of breath and devoid of energy. Will I ever be able to feel like my former running self again?!!! I just hope I can finish Boston without any asthma attack and before they close down the course! sigh!

Elixir (ski Patrol) Miles: 18.20

Night Sleep Time: 6.00	Nap Time: 0.00	Total Sleep Time: 6.00	Weight: 0.00

Comments

From Tom Slick on Sun, Apr 01, 2012 at 03:53:42 from 69.171.160.160

Oh Ms.Smooth it pains me so to see and hear you in such agony. Youve got two weeks till Boston and really all of the training is done. Might I suggest that you go into a taper schedule rather than a training schedule:

(S)2.5,(M)R,(T)6,(W)4,(Th)6,(F)4,(Sa)R. schedule for the week of 04/01/12

and (S)10,(M)R,(T)4,(W)3,(Th)2,(F)2,(Sa)R. for the week of 04/8/12.

Then a rest day on the 15th and then running the Boston marathon on Monday the 16th.

All the runs above are done at 2 minutes below your projected marathon pace. Nice and easy for form and fitness.

You can switch the Sun and Mon runs/rest if you don't want to run on Sun.

In your account of your Riverton half you didn't say how your stress fractures were doing, are they causing any pain or discomfort?

Now, and I know this will be the hardest thing for you to do is to get off your feet as much as you can in the next two weeks and get as much extra sleep as possible between now and Boston Marathon race day.

Good Luck Ms. Smooth....Let me know what I can do to help you along the way?

When are you and Larry leaving for Boston?

From Andy on Sun, Apr 01, 2012 at 04:26:42 from 174.52.172.236

Sounds like a great last long run before Boston. You always make running seem so much fun.

From flatlander on Sun, Apr 01, 2012 at 08:30:05 from 76.31.26.153

Very impressive effort today. Had to laugh at the futility of drafting behind the skinny lady. I think you are going to make it back in time, at least enough to run Boston the way you want to. You got 18, and that can be very hard after you haven't done it for a while -- similar thing happened to me yesterday. Good luck.

From RAD on Sun, Apr 01, 2012 at 16:58:30 from 98.202.23.178

Oh Smooth, I'm so impressed with your tenacity! Seriously, I would've just given up. That course is NOT easy and with the wind blowing all that pollen around and you having all your breathing issues to begin with? yeah, I would've just given up. I'm glad Lowell was there to keep your spirits high and to not let your mind get the best of you.

I know you'll be fine in Boston. Take these next couple weeks to take it easy (this is Helga speaking) and recover your body's health and breathing. PLUS, you'll have sea-level air. It will be good and you'll do fine. I know you will, there is no way you can't; that is just YOU.

I love you Smooth and I wish I would've had more time with you (and Lowell) on Saturday. Working a race makes times a little different. You did great and congrats on the virtual 1st place in your AG on a 'bad' race for you!!

Take care and keep your head up - this will happen and you'll do great. You have enough of us behind you and you'll have Lowell with you!! No worries

From Nancy on Sun, Apr 01, 2012 at 17:59:13 from 76.23.21.118

It was good to see you. I'm sorry you are having so much trouble with your asthma. You must be very tough to run that much when it is so hard to breath.

From Teena Marie on Sun, Apr 01, 2012 at 21:09:22 from 174.27.199.63

Stink, I thought perhaps your breathing was getting a bit better. You were so cute after the race that I made that assumption. Sure wish that my assumption was correct. :(

Consider making an appointment with an asthma specialist and see if he can give those lungs of yours what they need.

Love you.

From Markir on Mon, Apr 02, 2012 at 09:40:28 from 67.182.218.217

I had a miserable half last year in May that completely did me in mentally and I am still trying to recover. You are much tougher than I am. Keep after it and see what you can do about those lungs!! It'll get better.

From glidergirl on Mon, Apr 02, 2012 at 11:23:27 from 71.219.131.24

Yes...you will for sure get back to feeling/running normal. :) :) This is the worst allergy season yet, which will do nothing but make your asthma so bad! In time you will come back stronger and faster than before. :) And Boston will be GREAT! It will be the race you thought you would never be able to conquer...just coming off an injury and feeling awful from your asthma, etc. A race to remember for sure. :)

From Rhett on Mon, Apr 02, 2012 at 11:33:38 from 74.41.249.102

Smooth,I'm glad you got to run with Lowell. I was thinking about you and Larry this morning while I was swimming and how your running has allowed you to bless the lives of so many people. I consider myself greatly blessed by having met you two through running. Keep up the good work.

From Toby on Mon, Apr 02, 2012 at 20:49:49 from 199.101.229.254

"Love...tru love" (name that movie)! That is what you have for this sport!

From Smooth on Mon, Apr 02, 2012 at 21:26:21 from 174.27.212.157

Hey there Slickster ~ THANK YOU SO MUCH for your unwavering friendship! Like a rock, you're always there to lend a helping hand. I LOVE your suggestion. Right now, I am not in any training mode...just trying to survive. I think my stress fracture is healing nicely; no pain at the sf site.

I remember well the year you ran Boston after you had knee surgery. You persevered through all that. You've taught me so much. THANK YOU! The only motivation for me to go to Boston is the "party" we're going to have at Beantown AND that I'll get to see my son there volunteering!

Larry and I are taking the red-eye Thur night (w/ a layover at JFK) arriving Boston Fri at 9:30am. Our Radisson reservation is for Sat. thru Mon. So we are staying at a different hotel Fri night.

Andy ~ this last long run was a desperate attempt. I couldn't have done it without Lowell. He made it so fun! :)

Flat ~ I am not sure how Boston will pan out. I am still toying with the idea of not running it. Wish I could volunteer instead but the deadline to apply to volunteer was back in Feb.

It's very discouraging to struggle with an 18 miler when just a couple months ago I was running a marathon a month.

Rachel ~ THANK YOU for saying all the things I so needed to hear. I really appreciate your friendship and for being there. I am very happy for your running and training so well. I will live vicariously thru you! :)

Nancy ~ it was GREAT to see you. I told Lowell about your amazing dedication to get up super early to run before work and of your awesome big family. SO PROUD of you winning your AG again! WAY to defend your title! :)

Teena ~ I don't know what to think of this asthma. May be I don't have asthma? May be I am just getting old and out of shape? You know how I hate to go to the doc.

Kirsten ~ thank you for the encouragement and understanding. I need to hear that. :)

Brooke ~ You are right about it being the worst allergy season. My poor hubby is sneezing with itchy eyes and runny nose; yet he never complains! :)

AND I LOVE your attitude...Boston 2012 will be a race to remember! :) :) :)

Rhett ~ you say the kindest things and I know you are sincere. Larry and I think the world of you and Doone. I too am grateful for having met you two through running. I will forever treasure the friendship and fond memories of being in your presence. You are the FASTEST bishop we ever know! :) Can't wait to see you at UVM.

Toby ~ hmmm, I'll have to google that movie! You made me smile! Yes, I do LOVE running...right now running doesn't love me back though! But it's all good. I am sure I'll find the joy of running again. I think for as long as I can draw breath I will keep putting one foot in front of the other! :)

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