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Utah Valley Marathon

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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:

Click to donate
to Ukraine's Armed Forces
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
Race: Utah Valley Marathon (26.2 Miles) 04:09:03, Place in age division: 4
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
26.320.000.000.0026.32

UVM:  blessings and a blast!!!! 

Short version:  [the long version is for my journal and posterity ;)

WHAT A BLAST!!!:

  • FANTASTIC pre-race and post-race lunches with WONDERFUL friends! :) :) :)
  • SUPER FUN hanging out with RAD, Teena, JohnV, MattL, Luz & Cath before the race!!! :) :) :) 
  • Had a BLAST running with AWESOME friends:  RAD (3 mi) Lowell (15 mi) Cath (~ 4 mi) Suzette (20.5 mi) and Fonz (1 mi)!!! :) :) :)

THE BLESSINGS!!!  So grateful that I: 

  • Got a BQ (1st half in 2:04:23, 2nd half in 2:04:40, YAHOO for even splits!) with a bum knee and tired legs to boot!!! :)
  • Had no cramps nor collapsed at the finish. :) :)
  • Was loved and taken care of by awesome friends, especially RAD! :) :) :)
  • Had a cloud covering the last 10 miles. :)
  • Have a sweet hubby who faithfully comes and waits for me every marathon even on a busy busy day. ♥ :) :) :)

Long version:  [you can stop reading now :)]

Pre-race:

Had a wonderful Fri. luncheon visiting with many friends and families.  THANKS Paul for organizing it!!! :) At the Expo met the two Kenyans and Mark Marrott (handcycle division winner).  Kinda neat to talk to the champs at eye-level! :)  Went to the store for some banana and sunscreen before heading over to the Stake Youth Conference doing the Amazing Race.  Had a great dinner and fireside with the energetic youth.  Well past 9 by the time we got home...SO tired!!!  Got my running gear ready and took 1/2 AdvilPM at 11 in hopes of getting some sleep, no such luck! :(

Was wide awake entire time wondering how I was to run this thing in the morning w/ tired sore legs?!! Finally got out of bed at 2:30am tired and groggy!  KT taped the right knee (it came off when I removed my warm-up pants before the start, o well).  Put on compression sleeves.  Met RAD at 3:15am.  So grateful she drove me to the bus loading where we unexpectedly met up with Teena, JohnV and MattL.  Waved to Slick and Kodi as their bus pulled away.

So lethargic on the bus ride that I would've fallen asleep if not for the *entertainment* by a *certain royalty* and a very funny RAD.  Has it only been 3 weeks since our silly ride up Ogden Canyon?  Yup, still feeling the aches and pains of that marathon...what was I thinking?!!!  Forced down a banana, yogurt and gatorade. 

The Start:

Did the pop wait where we saw JulieC, Walter, Carina, Flatlander, Sasha and bunch of others.   Found Luz and Cath after walking past gazillion stinky smokey fire-pits.  The smoke seriously made me want to puke.  We lined up for the pop a 2nd time (to be expected when one gets up so early! It isn't even Boston, geez louise!)  Was fun making new friends at the pop line though!  The race started on time at 6am while RAD's time was *ten to*... yep, we were still ten-ding-to-business!  hehehe!!! :)

RAD and I were heading to bag-drop-off when Lowell finally showed up hurrying to the pop.  He wanted us to wait for him.  But we were freezing and it was already 5 min. after gun time.  He and Suzette finally caught up to us at mile 1.  He told us that he and Jason had to rescue the wheelchair athlete who has fallen into the river just before the start, goodness! 

First half:

My!  That first mile was a huffer...not too concerned as I knew it was uphill.  RAD pulled away at the mile 3 aid station.  I have got to learn not to linger at aid stations.  Ran with Suzette and Lowell, what a hoot! :)  It was like Poky all over again, singing, laughing, telling jokes and completely lost all my dignity with Lowell's incessant teasing and harassing.  Good thing I love him so much or I would've ditched him and his ole-fartin' at the mile 8, 9 & 12 hills.  Instead we (Suzette and I, the sassy women according to him) stayed with him passing runners making lots of friends who were either amused or annoyed by his: "What's your name?  We're wondering why you don't have any friends?  Can we walk the hill with you?"  "Good morning, Pain!  Tell us your story!"  "Smooth and Suzette are two sassy women!  They lied.  They are evil women!"  I was only guilty on one count when I told Miles from Calif. (think that's his real name since I told him my name was Smooth) that once we got over that snow-peaked mountain, it would be *smooth miles* to the finish! :)  I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful green mountains & rolling hills of the canyon while ignoring the traffic noise on the concrete hwy! :)

Second half:

I never looked at my watch until at the Half, 2:04:xx.  I was happily surprised when I saw hubby on the north bound lane shoulder cheering! ♥ Was fun to see AlisaB and wish she would latch on to our group.  We also caught up to Cath and she got to listen to Lowell's story of his early law days.  Don't know when we lost Cath and Luz; but we stopped to take pictures for two girls who wanted the water-fall scenery as backdrop.  The fun part of running at the back and middle of the pack is that you get to pass/meet all these people who run as friends, father-sons-daughters together.  You get to hear inspiring stories.  You get to cheer and encourage first-timers, people running for a cause, etc. :) :) :)

While I enjoyed the comradarie, I tried to listen to my body's signals, pay attention to my form, remember to drink and gu.  UVM did a great job putting the aid stations close to the odd number miles and positioning the gu, powerade and water just right.  That made it easy for me to gu at the stations where they handed out gu and took orange slices where there wasn't any gu.  Thanked the volunteers profusely. :)  A cyclist almost clipped me as I ran too close to the orange cones doing the tangent!  That was scary! :/

We lost Lowell after mile 15.  I think he stayed with Sarah, a first time marathoner. Suzette and I ran together till the mouth of the canyon where I told her that the race really begins and urged her to go for it.  Now running with my own thoughts on University Ave. fearing charlie horse would hit any minute.  My thoughts immediately turned to my missionary son, Steven, who's been in the Provo MTC for exactly a month.  The first sign of cramps showed up at the top of my hamstrings where I've never experienced before; usually it's in my calves, shins or toes.  The hymn, Called to Serve, immediately popped into my head.  I sang that in my mind over and over, lengthened the back-swing-strides,  far and wide His love proclaim...ONWARD...pressing onward...until the cramps subsided.  I concentrated on good posture that Eric taught me, side-fived the children, thanked every officer at each traffic light!

The finish:

Just before mile 25, I saw a smiling Fonz jumped onto the course to run with me! :) :) :) He said: "I don't have a watch and don't know your goal but I'll stay with ya!  What time do you have?"  That's the first time I looked at my watch since the half.  It read 3:59:xx.  With that I told him: "Well, it looks like I'm not gonna make sub-4.  But unless something disastrous happens, I should have a BQ in the bag!"  I asked him how Teena and his other friend did.  It was wonderful to run with him side by side.  I just latched onto his energy and smooth strides.  He grabbed two cups of water and dumped them on me while I took a last drink of powerade...felt soooo good! :)  He pointed the blue thing - the finish line...but we still have NINE blocks to go...dang those street signs and traffic lights...and I couldn't even see the blue thing!!!  I just fixated my eyes on the Wells Fargo building.  Fonz peeled off at the last traffic light with a, "It's all yours!  Enjoy the crowds cheering!"  I saw Canyon (MarcieN), my hubby and Doone and I think I heard Kathie, Kimmy and friends cheering wildly!  Finished at last where RAD was so kind to walk in circles with me and help me recover and find my hubby!  Marathon #27 in the book!  It was a successful training run!  :)

Post-race:

Had a hunch that I placed top 5 (I passed two of my competitors) but didn't stay for the award.  We had a great lunch/birthday celebration organized by Doone for Rhett.  It was the best to top off the UVM weekend!  I am so grateful for such great and wonderful friends!  I am so thankful for the ability to run! 

 


 

 




Inspire 6 (green) Miles: 26.32
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Nancy on Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 22:54:00 from 76.23.21.118

Nice race. I really enjoyed reading your report.

From marion on Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 23:33:29 from 71.213.111.47

WOW!!! I am so happy that you had an AWESOME race!!! xoxoxo

From JulieC on Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 23:42:14 from 71.35.251.85

Happy 26th!! way to go Smooth. You ran so well compared to how you were feeling at the start when I saw YOU!! hey and you ran a little bit better tangents then I. I got 26.34 miles!!! : D. Quite the BEAUTIFUL COURSE!!! So loved this race too!!

From RAD on Wed, Jun 15, 2011 at 00:45:59 from 98.202.17.113

Perfectly executed race Smooth! Seriously, even splits - enjoying the first 15+ with a great attitude and fun, fun, fun! I'm still bugged I missed you guys, but I guess I needed some time to clear my head. All good things, right?

I have to agree on the setup for the aid-stations and friendly people. Just wonderful course and race! Just wish I could get rid of the concrete :)

Thanks for allowing me to hang with you and having a wonderful morning and afternoon. You are simply amazing! Now, you just need 5.4 more to make a marathon of marathons, right? Shall we set up a party line at PC? :) -oh, and I LOVED the tending to our business - hahaha!

From Teena Marie on Wed, Jun 15, 2011 at 00:50:56 from 67.2.101.26

WaHooOOoo!!! :) :) :)

What a blessing ... what a blast!! You really do know how to do things with class. (Hey ... that almost rhymes.) :) :) :)

Congrats on number 27!!! :) :) :)

I love you.

From Smooth on Wed, Jun 15, 2011 at 01:01:54 from 67.2.124.123

Nancy ~ Thanks! Tell me you didn't read the LONG version! :)

Marion ~ Hi there sweet girl! How ya doing? I'm so bummed I won't make it to the RHPC.:( Hubby and I will be out of town.

Julie ~ CONGRATZ on your master title! Didn't I say you're going to win when I saw you at the start? Oh, yeah, I edited you in there and it was marathon #27, forgot I did Hoover Dam.

You did AWESOME!!! I will read your complete report later! CONGRATZ again!

Rachel ~ Not sure if it was perfectly executed. I really had no goal or plan. I felt that I could possibly run a 4:10. I was disappointed at the 2:04 at first glance but then realized it meant I could may negative split it.

You definitely ran a negative split. You did AWESOME! I read your report, made me cry, just hadn't commented on it yet! :)

THANKS for being there for me from the start to the finish! You are a dear friend (err daughter)! Love you to pieces! ♥

Can't wait to party at PC with you! :) Ummm, I still don't get the 5.4 to make a marathon of marathons...not good at numbers!

From Chad on Wed, Jun 15, 2011 at 09:54:34 from 168.177.153.138

Making friends at the pop? That's just like you. I love it.

Great report. I enjoyed every word and congratulations.

And what's with everyone logging comments and 1am. Don't you people sleep?

From JohnnyV on Wed, Jun 15, 2011 at 17:19:29 from 204.124.13.151

Congratulations. I hope you celebrated at mile 5.4 as you completed your marathon of marathons.

From AmberG on Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 02:11:38 from 67.2.220.83

Congratulations on your 'smooth' race Darlin! I miss ya, I'm not much into the blogging world lately, but it's nice to know when I come back here you are running like a champion still and sharing your love and friendship to everyone around you! You are like sunshine!

From flatlander on Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 09:57:37 from 76.31.26.153

Inspiring report, it was great to run into you before the start. Looked for you at the end but got distracted putting on my compression socks, that seems to take about a half hour. Glad you had no post-race issues, you are getting stronger. Your finishing time was close to the old record for our age group. I chased a woman from Kansas down the hill who broke it by 23 minutes, crazy.

From Andy on Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 10:20:49 from 174.52.172.236

I'm so glad that your knees held up and there were no cramping issues. I always get nervous during your marathons.

From Smooth on Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 10:23:51 from 67.2.124.123

SSF ~ Wish I was in YOUR class! :) How did the test go on Tue? Love and miss you! :)

Chad ~ the best place to make friends is at the pop! I should mention that Cath was dispensing immodium to our newly made friends! :)

Hey, the time shown on the blog is eastern time! Was sawing logs NOT logging blogs at 1 am!

How are you doing? When can you come run with us?

Johnny ~ I sure did! I passed Sarah (a first timer) around mile 5.4 and said to her: this is my first too! First marathon of marathons. I don't think she got it! How did you celebrate yours? sure was FUN hanging out with you both at the lunch on Fri and before the race! YOU are the best!

Hey Amber cutie ~ sure miss you lots! I check on you now and then and so happy to see you loving life to the fullest! You are the blue sky that I crave every day!

Flat ~ How do you like wearing the compression socks for recovery? I would have a hard time putting them on right after the finish, not a single muscle works after a marathon! :)

For 2012 my BQ time is 4:15. I ran a 3:58 at SG so I get to register on Wed. The BQ I got at UVM is just for the extra shirt! :). That woman from Kansas gets to register on Mon. if she was shootin to run Boston and of course taking 1st is always SWEET!!!

From flatlander on Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 10:29:19 from 76.31.26.153

Yeah, I was hoping to get a Wednesday registration but didn't make it. I still have a Friday registration though, and I heard some people talking at the start line that statistically you will get in even with an open registration if you are 3 minutes under, so I think I will be there next April, I sure hope so.

From Smooth on Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 10:31:30 from 67.2.124.123

Andy ~ Thanks! When I ran by the mile 9 aid station, I wanted to yell "pickles! Pickles!" wishing you were there! :). NICE to know I am not the only one that gets nervous for yours truly! :) You are the GREATEST!!!

K, my knee hurts AFTER the run and sitting and there is a bone spur (which doesn't hurt) forming! I don't know what to do!

From Smooth on Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 10:35:47 from 67.2.124.123

Mark ~ you will, I am pretty sure of that especially when they did away with the deferment.

From Chad on Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 11:51:05 from 168.177.153.138

You're right. 10-11pm does make a little more sense. And thanks for the warning. I won't be taking an "performance enhancing" drugs from you or your friends. As for running, I'm not putting in very many miles yet but I'd love to join up for at least part of run.

From Jon A on Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 18:03:49 from 67.214.249.195

Awesome race Smooth! I love reading your reports. Thank you for sharing!

From Smooth on Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 18:26:20 from 67.2.124.123

Hey there JON!!! THANKS!!! We are planning a group run on the Lehi JRP on Sat. Wanna come! Love to have you and Kelly there! We are probably meeting at 7am. Tell Kelly no worries about pace or distance there are plenty of different pace folks to run with!

From Smooth on Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 18:28:35 from 67.2.124.123

O yeah Chad ~ you are in for Sat., right?

From Chad on Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 18:51:58 from 168.177.153.138

I'm going to try and run about half with you guys.

From Smooth on Thu, Jun 16, 2011 at 18:55:49 from 67.2.124.123

Chad ~ Good deal! See ya on Sat.!!! :) :) :)

From glidergirl on Sat, Jun 18, 2011 at 12:45:06 from 155.97.238.134

Nice work on your marathon Smooth!!!! I am so proud of you. :) And you are recovering so nicely, too! I loved reading about your talk on Sunday. Thanks for sharing. Love you girl! :)

From Smooth on Sat, Jun 18, 2011 at 12:48:36 from 67.2.124.123

Hey there cute Brooke! THANKS!!! How are you doing? I am going over to check on your blog! LOVE and MISS you!!! :)

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