Each Day Is a Gift

The Day After the End of the World 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:

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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
Race: The Day After the End of the World Marathon (27 Miles) 05:36:40, Place overall: 92, Place in age division: 1
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
27.000.000.000.0027.00

This race was staged in Humble TX right off Townsend Blvd. in a condo complex/building project that was started but not completed perhaps due to the economy the last few years.  Some of the buildings shows signs of decay which just adds to the ambiance of the END of the World.  I signed up for this race (back in April for $65) because I planned to spend Christmas with my daughter whose house is only a 15min drive to the race.  The RDs (Steve and Paula Boone, organizers of the Texas Marathon) are some of the funniest people. :)

The race info had me laughing so hard: "Answers to frequently asked questions:
Is it okay to wear headphones, IPODs, MP3, Zune, and whatever device that sends music rattling around in our head? You are welcome to use it as long as it does not distract your attention from the race, jeopardize your safety or jeopardize the safety of the other participants. Remember that zombies, aliens, and Mayans are known to like loud music. 
Certification: The course is not USATF certified and is not a Boston qualifier because Boston 2013 will not take place because of the end of the world.           Is there a time limit? This event is walker and velocity challenged participant friendly.  Time limit is 9 hours.  An early start is not necessary because there is no reason to hurry to the end of the world.  You must be finished by sunset because we will all be tired by then and you won’t stand a chance in the dark with zombies.
Can we bring our club tent and banner? We encourage marathon-gating. Bring your tent, banners, comfy chairs and enthusiastic spectators..  I knew I'd be in for a very fun time! :)

The course is on dirt trail with sections of loose sand, mud, dry grass and small section of private road.  It loops around two small lakes and ponds in the woods.  The map on the website shows a 3+miles route that was cleverly looped (like two figure-8s that you get to pass the same 3 aid stations and the start/end area 8 times (4 loops for the Full marathon, 2 loops for the Half).  There were humorous signs posting along the course:  Prefontaine's Car pointing to a discarded junked auto in the woods, Alien's Trip Wire on downed tree/branch/root, End of World Shelter next to a cement silo.  The aid stations had aliens, zombies, skull/skeleton bones on the table dividing the water from the gatorade.  The good part is you get to pass and high-five fellow runners and families numerous times.  The bad part is you're very tempted to quit each time you run to the start/end where the volunteer direct you to either go left to the finish shute or right to run another loop of 6.8 miles!  :)


 We got to the start with 45 min to pick up the chips, use the pop and mingle with friends and fellow runners.  Temp was 34, calm and the sun was rising as a layer of fog drifted over the ponds.  The announcer was enthusiastic and mentioned that those ran yesterday on the END of the World Marathon got a taste of running an ultra as the course was 2 miles longER and many "crazies" are back for the DAY AFTER end of the World!

Me and Larissa's friends who all ran their very first half-marathon ever!

The Marathon started on time at 8am after Ms. Waverly Walker (very appropriate name) sang the National Anthems, followed by the Half at 8:15.  I jumped in a minute later towards the back of the pack. 

No one seemed to be in a hurry.  In fact we came to a dead stop of traffic jam when we dropped down thru a single tract of packed mud. :)  The course was marked with arrows and orange tapes but I just followed the throng of people in front of me.  The mile markers were few and not helpful.  We reached the east side of the lake before mile 2 and could hear the start of the Half.  Mile 4 was at the east and back side of the condo and as I rounded the building I saw hubby sitting in a lawn chair.  I was confused thinking that the first loop was so short but then quickly realized that it was just half of the figure 8 loop!  I dropped off my jacket and head band to hubby as the temp rose!

There were many sections of loose dirt and fine sand that caused blisters to form on my big toes.  When I reached the end of the first loop back to the start area, I sat on hubby's chair to doctor the feet.  Had to do this two more times.

Start of 2nd loop (mile 7), 3 more loops to go! :)  WaHooo!

 

The End of the World race shirt is black shown on this guy whereas the Day AFTER End of the W. shirt is purple and the hat shown on me is a cheery bright yellow! :)

 

 

Larissa caught up to me after I stopped at the aid station.  We ran 2+ miles together and I let her go when she had 5K left to go.  She finished in 2:13, 3rd in her AG.  I am so proud of her.  This is her very first half marathon.  She just wanted to run it for fun with me! :)

Brandon cheered Larissa in at the finish then left to take the kids home and to the airport to pick up David.  Here's my beautiful daughter with that gigantic medal! :) 

Julianna, Beth, and Jill (not pictured here) finished around 3:04.  I got to high five them 3 times as they ran pass on the opposite direction.  So proud of these young mothers! :)

Fueling with half of a PB&J sandwitch, orange slices and water at the start/end aid station.  Half way done!  YaHOOO!!! 

I found the pops behind the condo vacant each time I ran by so I went in for a 60 sec break (4 times) ! :)  Hubby waited for me (after the first loop) at the aid station on the west side of the lake to run the mile in to the finish with me.  He did this three times! :) My legs were fried and my right ITB started to hurt from mile 15 on.  I did the run/walk 4/1 min thing and walked thru the aid station every mile.  Me and the two amigos around mile 19.  I was so looking forward to sitting down in a chair to empty the sand/dirt off my socks and shoes! 

 At mile 20+ the volunteer shouted out directions to go left for the finish or right for another 6.8 mile loop.  Each time he saw me go right, he'd cheered enthusiastically.  This time, hubby urged me to go left.  But I was too stubborn.  My watch showed that I've run exactly 4 hours.  It was very tempting to call it quit.  But I was determined to FINISH this thing even if I had to crawl.   Hubby and daughter were questioning my sanity or lack of it! :) 

My knee hurt so bad that I desperately needed some drug.  I was in such a delirious state that I forgot about the stash I had put in my shirt pocket the night before.  I asked a pack of three runners passing me if they had any ibuprofen.  The guy in bright pockadots tights gave me two Tylenol.  :) 

My shins started to cramp with 5K to go.  I ran past a guy who was struggling.  So I encouraged him to jog with me.  He is in the Army and this is his second marathon.  He is from Alabama.  His brother lives in Salt Lake.  Chatting with him about what motivated him to run and about his 2013 running goals helped both of us finish together without walking other than thru the aid stations.

I was so HAPPY to see hubby at the last aid station with a mile to go.  He ran me in to the finish together! :)  That gigantic medal came in a silk lined box weighing 1.1 pound. 

 There were hot pizza, cookies and soda for all to enjoy at the finish.  I had a lot of fun running this, my 10th marathon of the year.  Larissa waited patiently for me and even took video of me and her dad running together to the finish. 

 They also gave us smiley squeezies with our finish positions written on the back.  Although we both placed in our individual divisions...As stated on the race website:  There are no age group awards because every runner is special.  


Elixir 6 (black/pink) Sz 7 Miles: 27.00
Night Sleep Time: 3.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 3.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Tom Slick on Tue, Jan 01, 2013 at 01:38:30 from 69.171.160.193

Wow, that medal is rad....so are you! Congrats on beating another race into submission!!!!

From Rhett on Tue, Jan 01, 2013 at 12:46:50 from 74.33.2.214

Happy New Year Smooth. 10 marathons in one year is very impressive. Now take care of that knee. I love all the photos, especially the one with you jum[ing in the air. Very cool!

From The Quiet Pirate on Tue, Jan 01, 2013 at 17:41:46 from 71.49.55.78

Smooth- what a fun race! You picked a good one to run and I loved the photos, but best of all I LOVE that medal!! You're going to need a reinforced hook on the wall to hold that bad boy up.

Sorry to hear about the blisters- you're so tough to keep going through the pain.

From Toby on Tue, Jan 01, 2013 at 18:50:02 from 174.52.132.120

You are so inspirational Smooth! I always look forward to reading your blog! How exciting to run the race with your daughter-I couldn't think of anything better!!!

Your neck is going to get strong sporting that medal!!!!

From Teena Marie on Tue, Jan 01, 2013 at 20:45:33 from 65.130.7.241

Wow!!! That race sounds awesome!!! :) Even more than the medals I love the awesome pics they took. Seriously, those are some of the best race pics I have ever seen. Very nice!!! :)

Congrats to you, Larissa, and her friends!!

(Love the "velocity challenged" in their disclaimers!!)

Congrats on #10 in 2012 and a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! :)

From Smooth on Thu, Jan 03, 2013 at 13:00:04 from 71.35.231.124

Slick ~ that medal is the Mayan calendar with all these cool inscriptions and of course the date and name of the race. The END of the world medal is very cool with the scary Mayan God in the center. For the DAY AFTER end of W it has a smiley face instead. I wish I ran both because you get a commemorative double sided coin in addition to both medals. It was well worth the 65 bucks! :)

Rhett ~ I did jump shots in the beginning miles when I saw the photographer but towards the last 10 miles I could barely pick up my feet! :)

QP ~ the medal is displayed in the silk-lined box on a shelf! :) You would've LOVED this race!

Toby ~ thanks! You say the kindest things! :)

SSF ~ I just realized if I hadn't missed out on Ogden and Utah Valley because of the stress fracture, I would've done 12 marathons in 2012!!! Dang! But I do feel very fortunate that I "finished" this one! Love and you lots! :)

From flatlander on Thu, Jan 03, 2013 at 13:39:04 from 198.207.244.102

Loved the pictures. I just finished running Steve and Paula's New Years Day race in Kingwood. Sorry again for not making it out there. Wade went out and ran the half, then had his legs give out in Kingwood 10 days later, so it was probably better that I didn't go out. Congratulations to you on yet another strong finish, you run more of these in a year than I have run altogether.

From RAD on Thu, Jan 03, 2013 at 14:08:44 from 67.171.119.50

That is SO amazing! I loved every word of the report. I'm sorry your ITB acted up again. That is one of the most painful things I've ever done. Plus, with blisters on your toes and shoes filled with dirt?!? But what do YOU do? You encourage others, keep a positive attitude and NEVER give up. Way to go Smooth!!!

From RAD on Thu, Jan 03, 2013 at 14:09:29 from 67.171.119.50

Oh, and a BIG congrats to Larissa for her first half. What a wonderful experience to do with her mom :) Awesome, amazing women...must run in your genes.

From Bec on Tue, Jan 08, 2013 at 11:09:07 from 72.191.19.182

Those photos are so great! I love you Smooth. That is the BIGGEST medal I have ever seen!!! Look like you won the Olympics. That race also sounds like a lot of fun. It is so cool that you could be there when Larissa ran her first 1/2, good for her. You both look beautiful!

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