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!!!!
No running today. Should've gotten up when I woke at 3am. Picked Maddi up at the airport then we went to breakfast at IHOP then shopping at Bed Bath and Beyond. Then we made the pasta salad and other preparation for the shower. Then we went to Salt Lake to have her bridle gown fitted. Then we went to Jen's for dinner. A fun busy day! :)
Ran with Karen down 3rd West, up Rail Trail and MCT. Good thing Karen was a little sore from hiking Timp yesterday or I wouldn't be able to keep up with her.
Hosted a bridle shower for Maddi. Decoration: pink and yellow daisies and zinias in assorted pink and clear vases. Food list: Hiroko's pasta salad, Chinese cabbage chicken salad, Costco quinoa salad, fresh fruits plata, assorted Artisian bread, mini cheesecake, lemon bar, mini sugar cookies with pink frosting, mini cream puffs, raspberry lemonade.
Maddi is fun, pretty, kind, thoughtful, good-sport, friendly and absolutely loves David! :) Very happy and grateful to have her in the family. :)
Breakfast of yougurt and cantalope. Carried bottle of raspberry lemonade. Met Karen at 7am for our medium long run. It had rained all night, temp was in the mid 60s, cloudy sky. We ran north on Suncrest Rd and got completely drenched in the rain and splashed by fast moving cars.
We ran east to the Alpine Park (mile 6ish) where Leslie was waiting for us. Took a Gu at the "ever flowing fountain of youth"... the water is just as how I remembered it. :) Then we proceeded south through Alpine, Highland to Lone Peak HS and down to Art Dye Park in American Fork. Turned back through 700 North and 500 East. Gu'd again at Highland Glen Park (mile 13ish). Got back to Alpine Park for 16 miles. Great conversations and the miles just flew by. Lots of contact rash/chaffing where the wet clothing rubbed my skin badly...OUCH!
Registered for two more marathons as training runs in Aug.
Partly cloudy cool morning. Ran with Wendy, Karen and Leslie. The contact rash on my legs were burning and tender so started out real slow. Ran up MCT via Center, east to 800 E drinking fountain, turned around west to 300 W to Center. Walked the last 0.5 mile with Wendy. Love how the Altra feels on my feet.
Went to Diane's with the intention to help her weed so her yard will be ready for a friend's wedding reception this Sat. But she wasn't home so I came back to work on my own yard instead. Trimmed, cut, pruned the overgrown bushes and trees in the front and side of the house from 9:30 to 4:30. My arms and hands are gonna be sore! The rain gutter in the back porch was clogged so I was bailing water under a "water fall" like a mad woman...SO FUN!!! :) :) :)
Went to one of our return missionary's wedding reception at Wheeler's Farm. Saw several beautiful rainbows! Ahhh!!! I LOVE rainbows!!! :) :) :)
Karen wanted to rest her feet so she and Leslie went biking. Wendy had cub-scout so she also bailed on me. I had less than 5 hours of sleep last night and my arms were super tired from yesterday's epic yard work! Would've stayed in bed if not for having signed up for Cal's "Humpday Fitness Challenge". So off I went by myself not knowing how the run would go. Temp in the mid 60s, sunny blue sky!
Route: West on MCT from Center to 1500W, turned east to 800 E, south on 600 E, east on Utah Highland Dr. turned west to home for a 10K.
After a mile warm up, decided to do a tempo run which I haven't done for over two years. Splits: 10:12, 9:31, 9:13, 9:13, 8:49, 8:45, (0.2 mi. in 1:34) TT: 57:20 AP: 9:15
Now off to do more yard work! Happy Hump Day to yous!!! :) :) :)
Temp in the low 60s, sunny blue sky. Ran with Karen, Leslie and Wendy down 3rd W, up rail trail & MCT. Felt stronger on the uphill today. I remember the first time I ran that route couple months ago, I had to walk and was wheezing terribly. My feet really love the Altra, very cushiony. I feel I'm running more efficiently in them, so far no niggles on the ankles or calves! :)
Splits for the uphill miles:
July 16: 10:09, 10:27
Aug 2: 10:01, 10:20
Aug 7: 9:42, 9:40
Debating between Big Cottonwood and TOU for my last long run before SGM...hmm, any thoughts?
6 am run with Karen and Leslie. Only had 4 hours sleep. Nice cool morning. Ran to 800 E MCT access to SR92 trail to Highland trails then turned south to Mt. Ridge Jr High and east to Mitch Hollow Park and MCT to Karen's neighborhood. Only stopped once at the Park to refill our water bottles. My stomach started to growl when we ran by Kneaders with its delicious smell infitrating my lungs! :)
Attended Uncle Tats' funeral at the Japanese Buddhist Temple in SLC; very nice service!
Wendy needed an 8 miler for her long run, she's training for the Huntsville Half. So I ran with her and her daughter, Stephanie. We started at 6:30, ran up on 800E MCT east to Highland Hwy. Drank at every 2 miles or so. Lots of cyclists and runners out. There was a Tri-training class running on the opposite way. We practiced proper hill running form going down DryCreek! I LOVE running downhill! :) Still loving the Altra...wish I could wear it to weddings and church! :) :) :)
Ran with Wendy to meet Karen and Leslie at their house, a mile warm up. The four of us ran thru new Perry Home neighborhood to MCT west to 1500W turned back east to 800E. Emily Hansen caught us on 3200 N. Felt good to run a mile fast with her (fast for me, slow for her). She took off when we reached 2600 N.
Nice temp, sun was rising with the super moon still over the western sky. Happy Monday to yous!!! :)
Humpday Fitness Challenge. Cool morning with cloudy sky 85% humidity. Ran with Wendy for a mile warm up east on Highland Dr. to MCT Smith's tunnel. Did strides (0.1m) X 6 on MCT going west then south on 800 E and home via 600E.
All my running buddies are out of town. Didn't get out until after 8 so it was a tad warm. Did an out-n-back up on MCT at 800 E, turned around at 1500W. Stopped to drink at the drinking fountains mile 1, 3, 5. I had lead legs and iron lungs this morning...solo runs do that to me! :) TT: 59:37 Splits: 11:14 (wanted to abort the run so badly), 9:49, 9:52, 9:42, 9:33, 8:57, 8:24.
I think this is a perfect route for 10K tempo run.
A short little shake down run with Karen, her sister Jill and Leslie around the neighborhood. Finalize our plan for Park City tomorrow. We're gonna have a party! Haha!!! :) Debating whether to wear the Altra or Inspire.
Park City Marathon (26.2 Miles) 04:59:11, Place in age division: 3
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
26.20
0.00
0.00
0.00
26.20
Came home late last night after my grandbaby's 2 yo birthday party. Got may be couple hours of sleep. Woke up at 3am, showered, read scriptures...the usual morning routine...decided to wear sleeveless top, so slather sunscreen and Glide all over. Karen and her sister, Jill picked me up at 4:30am. This year bib pick up is outside the hotel next to the start line, in the dark. They didn't have size small shirt, so gave me a medium non-gender shirt. That is so lame! I think this is my 7th PCM and sad to see there's no support and sponsorship anymore.
We used the hotel's bathroom and waited for RAD, Gary and Lowell (this is Lowell's 100th marathon) in the lobby. Gary has a full day scheduled: run the marathon, meet his buddies at Utah Lake to water ski at 11am, then drive his son to Phoenix (with a stop in Vegas) to start dental school...oh, I should mention that he flew in from Hong Kong and had a total of 6 hours sleep over the last three days.
The race started and Jill was looking for a place to shed her jacket so we were the stragglers. There was a mist across the field and the air felt wonderfully cool. Hot air balloons are rising in the distance and soon the sun too. My heart was overfilled with joy and gratitude having RAD by my side. My mind was flooded with all the fond memories of our many PCMs together, how we'd danced and pranced with not a care in the world. I LOVE HER SO MUCH!!! :)
RAD knows everyone on the course. She'd run a little with them but always waited or caught back up to us. We picked up Deb (a truck driver from Canada, I think) and shared stories of running adventures. I told her PCM used to be a sufferfest for me until RAD started running with me, then it becomes a running party, the ONLY way to do PCM! :) :) :)
I reflexively stopped my watch at the first aid station (something I do during long runs for water fountain stops) and totally forgot to restart it until 0.75 mile later when a fella asked if we'd passed the mile 3 marker. I should've not even wear my watch because I never looked at it anyway. We went off course to use the "outhouse" around mile 7 aid station cause there was a long line at the one POP. We used the flush toilet bathroom by the tennis courts. We stopped and took pictures several times, ate pretzels, etc. The powerade was terribly watered down and only 2-3 oz in each cup. They also cut out one of the aid stations...and no live bands!
We talked, laughed, walked, jogged, teased the entire way up to Deer Valley. Met Lowell and Tara on their way down. Lowell picked me up with a bear hug and nearly broke my back! :) :) :) We saw "marathon Larry" running his 1,008th marathon! Oh how I missed my Larry! He'd be at every crossing and key point, cheering, taking pictures, giving us ice or pickles. I started sharing the difficult medical experience my Larry went through in April and May this year with Jill. And before we knew it, we're done with the uphills!!!
After a lengthy stop at the Barn where we ate, took lots of pictures, we crossed the last tunnel and onto a descending bike path. The sky is clear blue with not a stitch of cloud, luckily the temp was in the 70s. I love that little stretch. The last 5Ks was always a grind if not for RAD there telling me her summer adventure of the chickens story, GREAT distraction and very entertaining, not to mention educational! I needed to pee so bad but decided to hold it till the finish for fear that if I stop I won't be able to get going, a choice approved by RAD! :) My shins started to cramp up the last mile and all I could do is focus on not letting them cease up. I saw the clock 5:00:xx so I kicked it up hoping that I would sneak under 5 and RAD uttered something like "she always beat me to the finish!" I kept walking, jogging back and forth in the food tent to keep charlie horse at bay. RAD grabbed me drink and made sure I was okay. Why am I SO lucky to have RAD in my life!!!! Did I mention I just LOVE her! :) :) :)
I was so slow, they ran out of chocolate milk, BOO! and the award ceremony started. I made a bee line to the POP, more pictures with Karen's family, Lowell, then heard they announced Gary as the AG winner. I got up there to pick up his medal and found out I took 3rd in my AG. Lowell won his AG so did Marci!!! RAD would've won if she hadn't "partied" with me! :) :) :) We (Karen's parents and hubby and kids and Jill's kids) went to Cafe Rio for lunch. I should mention that Jill came from California over the weekend just to run this with us. Another memory making marathon in the book! :) :) :)
Easy recovery with Karen and Leslie. Hubby walked the first mile with us. Legs, feet feel fine. I am suprised that my calves have no issue wearing the Altra at PCM and today cuz the warning mentions that the zero drop would work the calf muscles.
I won't be running the next few days; leaving before sunrise tomorrow to drive down to Phoenix. My son, David is getting married on Thursday in the Mesa Temple. :) :) :)
Happy Monday to yous and Happy first day of school to the Alpine School District's 7th graders! :)
No running. Up dark and early. Loaded up the car at 6am. Seven of us (me, Larry, grandma, Bryan, Jeff, Jen and Skylar) were quite comfortable in our MDX. We had to pack light, put all our luggages in the ski carrier on top of the car. I drove to Orem to pick up grandma. Larry drove to Beaver. Bryan drove to Mesquite (lunch break, fill up petrol), Jeff drove to Kingman. I drove to destination in Glendale, AZ. We drove through some strong wind and heavy rain with heaps of water on the road. It was white knuckles at times. But we made it there safely around 5:30 (AZ time). Larissa's family were already checked in. Gary prepared a BBQ dinner for us. The house has 6 bedrooms, large kitchen, family room and game room. The drawing feature was the backyard pool which has a waterfall and slide, cabana, hot tub. The grankids and their parents had so much fun playing pool and swimming.
Stayed up late to visit with the family. Woke up early and tired. I didn't pack any running clothes thinking that it would be too hot and I wouldn't have time. As it turned out, the temp was in the 70s and I had woke up so early that I could've gone. Gary went out and found a dirt trail next to a bike path very close to the house that goes on "forever". He ran "just" 9 miles.
This morning was Maddi's day to receive her temple endowment. We drove an hour to the Mesa Temple and had a very beautiful time in the temple with our kids.
In the afternoon, David and Maddi and her parents and sister came over for lunch while I took Larry to dialysis. It was great visiting with them. I found out Maddi's dad, Reagan is a runner. Maddi had run a marathon in Hawaii when she was going to school there. We talked about running a family Ragnar Relay one day.
Hadn't run all week so I was anxious to go for a run even though I felt so very tired from the long drive home last night. Thankfully it was a nice cool morning after a rainy night. I texted my running buddies who have already left. Ran first 5 miles with Wendy to the west end of MCT. After running her home, I continued east by myself on MCT to Highland Hwy. Left hip flexor complained after running down and up Dry Creek. Stretched well at the last drinking fountain around mile 10. I guess all that sitting, standing and driving was not good for recovery. :)
More wedding day pictures! A lot easier to get the adults to co-operate than the kids! :)
Went to Sister Clegg's, one of our sister training leaders' non-homecoming sacrament and heard her speak. She gave a wonderful talk on "grace" and the things she's learned on her mission. She was an outstanding missionary, very compassionate and kind, incredible leader. It was so good to see her and meet the rest of her family and also met up with some long-time friends afterwards at her house. It made us miss our missionaries and our mission terribly.
Then we drove Bryan to the Avenues to pick up his bow and straight to the airport for his flight back to Indianna. It was a quick trip for him and our time spent together was just too short; but school (2nd year of Grad school in viola performance) starts tomorrow morning. He's such a good son, mature beyond his years, well-respected by his colleagues of all ages. He's a great artist/musician with incredible humility and charity. I hope he finds a girl who sees all these qualities in him.
Anyhow, I'm just doing lotsa reflecting. It was so GREAT to be with all but one of my children the last few days. They have all grown up to be kind, caring, hardworking, faithful, good good human beings. Four of our six children are now married, all in the temple. I feel so very lucky and blessed beyond measure!
Ran with Wendy, Karen and Leslie who listened to my recap of the wedding and traveling last week. I have such wonderful running/listening/understanding/loving friends! :)
I checked my splits, after the first mile warm up which is always slow, I was able to talk and run at 9:30-40 pace. That's encouraging! We cut the run short because we started late and Karen has to go to work. Plus hubby was just starting his walk, so I walked home with him! :)
Doing Pocatello this weekend. Still debating between BC and TOU as last long run before SGM.
Larissa and her family are coming this afternoon. I'm SO excited! I hope we'll run some together the next few days! :) :) :)
My daughter Larissa and her family got into town yesterday. :) She and I ran to meet Karen and Leslie and we ran the rail trail hill loop. They kick my trash on the uphill. Nice cool morning with partly cloudy sky after last night's rain. :) :) :)
It was so fun to spend the day at Thanksgiving Point with 5 of my grandchildren and shopping with the girls at Traverse Mtn Outlet. Lotsa walking, now my dogs are tired! :)
Stayed up late last night...gotta take advantage of every second spent with visiting kids and grandkids! SO so so SO TIRED when a text message from Marci woke me up at 6:30 proclaiming how EXCITED she is for Pokey! Then Karen texted a message for our morning run. Ughhh! Dragged my tired and achy body out of bed. My legs would not cooperate, ALL the running muscles protested...paying the price of the last two days' overzealous runs...what am I doing to my body? :(
After running couple miles at 10:50 or slower, decided to bid goodbye to Karen and Leslie at the drinking fountain and walk home. So grateful to have Larissa to walk with and her shoulder to cry on! :)
Very excited to see Sister Davis (one of our awesome STL) and meet her family (from New Mexico) this evening. Going to have a family BBQ tonight after a fun day at Park City and exploring the "hidden forest" in Kamas! I'm gonna be exhausted! :) :) :)
Packed for the weekend and Pokey Marathon in a hurry. Went to Ogden Temple Open House with the family.
Met Lowell afterward for lunch (I had grilled chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries, fudge brownie with icecream) at Tailgate just south of the temple.
Drove up to Pocatello, had dinner (spaghetti, lasagne, bread stick, 1/2 chocolate cookie, lemonade) at the Expo with Suzie, Kelsey, Carolyn, Lance, Karen, Evan. Met a newbie Angela and the 4:30 pacer, Eliza. Can't decide if I should do 4:30 or 4:45 with my shins sending out wrong signals.
Walked with Lowell and Molly on the golf course to see the bishop's tree house then to Bob and Nancy, nicest elderly couple I heard so much about and finally got to meet. :)
Can't decide between wearing the Altra or Inspire for tomorrow's marathon...a bit worry about the right shin and left ankle. Lots of walking, standing around and driving today. Forecast for wind at 15mph WSW. Took a Tylenol PM at 10 and tried to get some sleep which didn't come until after midnight.
Pocatello Marathon (26.2 Miles) 04:28:34, Place in age division: 3
Easy Miles
Marathon Pace Miles
Threshold Miles
VO2 Max Miles
Total Distance
26.20
0.00
0.00
0.00
26.20
Tossed and turned all night. I was so very groggy when the alarm went off at 4:30am. Shouldn't have taken the Tylenol PM so late! Got ready in SLOW motion. :) Lowell made me instant oatmeal while I ate a yogurt on the way to the bus ride. Marcie called and said the last bus is ready to take off waiting for us and Lowell has Marcie's bib/bag. Have I ever mentioned that it is Lowell's goal and desire to be the last person on the last bus EVERY STINKIN' TIME? No difference here especially when the RD knows him very well. He is one of the sponsors of this marathon and this being his 101th...ROCK STAR!!! :)
Got to the start with 10 min to spare. SO many people rushed up to greet us...Bill Mandler, Lance Clark, Dana, Brett B., JoEtte, Amanda, Karen, Evan, Holly and many others can't remember...I was too groggy and sleepy to respond properly. Ate my banana while waiting in the pop line. Got out of the pop and immediately hugged by RAD who had to dash off to the pacers position.
Time to shed clothes and walk to the start. I was seriously so groggy that I just wanted to lay down and sleep. Took couple inhaler and dropped everything in the bag.
Someone took group pictures and I don't remember anything else other than being ushered toward the start. Star Spangle Banner solute with Dana (Lowell's nephew running his first marathon)
We stood by the start watching and cheering as each pace group passed. Marci went with RAD's 3:50, Brett, JoEtte and Amanda went with the 4:00, Lowell, Brett, Karen, Evan, Dana...went with the 4:15. I stood there alone and waited for the 4:30 to pass then jumped in with the 4:45. It was dark, cold with a hint of Fall air. I think very fiber in my body is asleep!
I tried to hang with the 4:45 group but it was just too hard to hold a 10:53 pace on downhill. So I found myself running comfortably a couple minutes behind the 4:30 group. It was a gorgeous morning as the sun peeked over the horizon. I chatted with a lady from Texas for the first 5K then she pulled back. I passed Kalita Ford seeing her favoring one leg. I gave her some encouragement. She responded that I would beat her because her knee was bothering her. I bid her good luck. (Side note: I always beat her anyway because she runs 5:45-6:00+ hr marathons.) Anyhow, I picked up lots of Marathon Maniacs and 50 Staters along the way to chit chat with.
At the mile 7 hairpin turnaround, I got to highfive our friends in the 4:15 group running down, did jump-shots for the photographer. Finally I felt awake, needed to make a potty stop, ate a gu, took water from the littlest volunteer. I LOVE this stretch of the course, beautiful green hills and valleys. I saw a cow galloping across a ridge in the hill ahead. Others thought it was a moose.
I missed running with my friends on this rather special marathon, my 50th! I pushed away any sad or lonely feeling. With a prayer and song in my heart I thought about how I need to be strong, to have faith and trust in God that He will heal my husband, my eternal companion. I would run each step for him, visualizing the nephrons and glumerulis waking up and doing their job in my husband's kidneys. My daughter and her family would be starting their long drive home to Houston, hubby would be getting ready for dialysis. My other children would be busy with their scholastic pursuits and nurturing children of their own. I know my Heavenly Father is watching over me. I kept thanking Him for all these wonderful blessings and gifts. My heart was overflowed with joy and gratitude! :)
I caught up to Elisa, the 4:30 pacer and listened to their conversations about their husbands cleaning homes. With nothing to offer in that conversation, I passed them around mile 10 and caught up to a guy from New York. We chatted and ran together for couple miles. I lost him when I stopped to take a Gu from the volunteer at the turn and up the hill to mile 12 aid station. Saw a sign "Happy 100th Lowell, we love you!" That has got to be from Holly who lives by there. Oh, how my mind was flooded with memories of running through this stretch in the past looking forward to the start of the Half where hubby would be waiting and cheering with camera in hands and I'd give him my gloves or jacket. I passed the half mat and looked down at my watch for the first time, 2:12:22. Hmm, shouldn't have passed the 4:30 group, it may come back and haunt me!
The second half of the marathon is rather boring. Now running mostly alone, I started to form in my head what I would talk about on Sunday in the Pocatello Highland 4th Ward. My thoughts would be interrupted by passing trains. I found myself slowing, and the sun started to beat down on my back thru the rollers in mile 15-21. I gave encouragement to the Half-marathoners as I passed them. Took 3rd gu at mile 18. I asked for ibuprofen at the mile 20 aid station from some awesome "LIFE GUARD" shirted guys (HS swim team?). I ran up the hill under the freeway overpass, only walked through the shady spot created by the freeway pillars. Right at the top, Elisa passed me. Wondered how long she's been reeling me in! That woke me up and I began to look forward to reaching Century High School where I hope Susie and Kelsey would still be cheering. They could very well be gone after Lowell and everyone else have run past. But nope, there they were yelling and cheering my name. I LOVE the signs they made for Lowell. They asked how I was feeling. I said: "Good!" They said: "Yeah, you're smiling! Good! We'll see you at the finish!"
I tell myself, the last 10K is when the race really begins. So I kept my eyes fixated on Elisa's 4:30 sign (she's now running alone, what happened to her group?)...but the gap was growing...my legs were tired with twinges of cramps in the shins. I drank gatorade and poured water on my head at each aid station then quickly got going. Saw a sign that said: "You better run fast! I just farted!" had me laughing out loud. :D A good headwind is now blowing and I thought to myself, I ain't gonna draft off anybody now! :) I passed a girl with a sinklet reading "Idiot Running Club". I wondered what Lowell would say to her! Haha! :)
Around mile 24.5 I passed a couple who called out my name. I said Hi to them and recognized that they're Rhett's Pocatello friends whom I was introduced to and had dinner at their house a few years back. Russ said: "Now I'll have to tell Rhett that you beat me again!" All I could say was: "So good to see you. I loved the time you had us for dinner at your beautiful home. SO NICE! Say hello to Rhett for me!" Around mile 25 another guy yelled, Smooth! It was TJ running the half with Carolyn. I wanted to give him a hug but I was afraid I would stumble. Then he called out loudly: "LOWELL, you better hurry up, Smooth is catching you!" With that I saw Lowell about 200m ahead with Karen running by his side. He didn't hear a thing because I sneaked up to him and was about to pinch him...but I behaved and said: "You lied!!! You said there would be NO headwind!" He must be tired because Karen came to his defense and said: "But the headwind cool us off nicely!" Then Karen started to latch on with me and we ran together. Lowell said: "Smooth does that everytime! No matter how much I waited, she'd always beat me to the finish!"
We passed Elisa just before mile 26. I think she must've come in too early as she was slowing, I hope anyway...because I was afraid that my shins would cease up if I suddenly change pace. Somewhere after we passed the Zoo sign, RAD came running towards us to run me in. She had great encouraging words like "you are running so good! sub-4:30. I see Elisa's face saying ~ 'how am I going to keep up with Smooth?' How's your legs? no charlie horse?" I just nodded, I just fixated my eyes to the finish searching for the finish clock which was nowhere to be seen! I heard my name announced, raised my arms as I crossed the finish and stopped the watch reading 4:28:38. Official time 4:28:34!!! I continued to jog in circles then collected my medal and turned to wait for Lowell. A mob of people ran over to him as they announced him running his 100th (actually 101th because he ran Timp with me which was not planned). Pictures galore by his friends and families!
Lowell and I sitting in the boot (trunk) of Susie's 5 passengers SUV... us stinkin' stubborn runners! :)
After getting home, Lowell and I walked Molly in the golf course. I walked barefooted suggested by Lowell, it felt great! Then we texted Larry the direction to Lowell's. He drove straight after dialysis from So Jordan to Pocatello just in time for post-race dinner at TJ's. We had a GREAT DAY!!! I am so happy to be part of Lowell's 101th marathon celebration and most of all encirlced in the love of his friends and families...such WONDERFUL and LOVING folks! :)
After dinner, Lowell and I walked home from TJ's house, not wanting the day to end. :) :) :)
15th Pocatello Marathon, my 50th marathon
Sat, Aug 30, 2014 6:16 AM Mountain Time (US & Canada) By smootheroo
Spoke in the Pocatello Highland 4th Ward combined priesthood and RS meeting. It was a very nice ward. Bishop Dee Jones is very nice, kind, down to earth, loves his people and family. President Ford, 2nd counselor, is an orthopedic surgeon, a Doogie Howser kinda guy, very young looking. The Pokey running gang not from this ward, came to the meeting. We were showered with so much love. There's such a bond among us runners that spill over beyond running.
Susie who's not a member of our faith, but as perfect of a Christian as I ever know, came. That meant the world to us! :)
After a wonderful and delicious luncheon prepared by Susie and Kelsey, attended by TJ, Marsha and family members; Larry and I sad good bye and drove home. What a wonderful Pokey weekend we've had.
