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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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

Sat, Apr 30, 2011

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
12.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	12.00

A TWO attacks run!!!

The original plan was to run with the AF Fleet Feet group on their 15 mile-loop starting at 8am atWillow Park on the JRP then west to Harvest Hill, south to Utah Lake and back on the JRP to the start, a route that look really fun but have never run before. Was late getting home from the musical, Sunset Blvd, last night. Got Karen's email that she didn't have time to go with the group, opted to start at 7:30 and run close to home.

Woke up to two inches of snow and still snowing!!! It is almost May for crying out loud!!! After much debate, Karen and I decided to brave the cold, and run on the icky road to Alpine instead of running in the LC. With the 8am start, I was able to eat a good breakfast of oatmeal and banana and drank EmergenC; but forgot to take the Symbicort. I still have not gotten in the habit of taking that thing and have never taken the nightly dose. Reluctantly put on my *winter* running clothes and head out to meet Karen.

First sign of trouble came as we crested the hill going up Suncrest around mile 4, my breathing was labored although I felt I have lots of energy and leg power. Going down the hill, instead of recovering, my heart was pounding and I was wheezing audibly and coughing (it was as though my lungs was filled with cotton). It was comforting to have Karen there, so we walked till my breathing was under control. We turned back at mile 5. Again I had to take a breather to walk down after cresting the hill. The rest of the run to her house was uneventful. We made it 9.5 miles at her house. I went inside to drink some Gatorade while she showed me her basement construction work and the girls' rooms that she painted. Feeling refreshed I left to run 3 more alone on Bull River. Planned to run 1.5 mile west to 1500W then turn back.

At the turnaround, my breathing became labored, perhaps due to the cold east wind; and I was feeling weak. It was as if I had hit the wall, that is not possible...not at mile 10.75...I had a good carb dinner last night and breakfast this morning. I frequently run 15 miles without any fuel. My legs feeling fine, not tired or sore. I felt so weak that I just started to jog/walk the 2 miles home.

As I got to about 0.25 mile from Karen's house, I heard this growl and something nip at my left ankle. I looked down and there was this stupid mutt trying to bite my heel. I didn't hear or see him at all. I stopped, turned and yelled at it to "GO HOME!!!" while running backward. He wouldn't budge. When he charged at my other ankle, I kicked him. He still didn't go home and keep chasing me with his stupid growling. I thought I out-run him but he actually gave up chase because we were approaching this house with an open garage where a dog was standing. I had passed that dog earlier and he just stared at me. My heart started to pound wildly thinking he's going to chase me now that he's seen the stupid mutt chasing me. He is a much bigger dog. I slowed down a tad as I got near the garage and only glanced over and tried to act brave. He kept staring at me and turned his head to look at the retrieving mutt.

Whew! as soon as I passed the staring dog, I started to run towards Karen's. But I felt like a blob of jello, I could NOT run!!! I saw that all her cars are still in the driveway with the garage door open. Thankgoodness they haven't left for the gymnastic meet yet! I stumbled into her kitchen wheezing with a pounding heart. Her daughters sat me down and brought me water. Karen rushed out and was about to call 911 when I told her to just take me home. My hands were numb, head was spinning, chest was tight and my heart was racing while I wheezed in between telling her what happened! There's noway I could have walked the mile home without passing out. She quickly drove me home where I immediately took the Ventolin.

Stupid stupid me!!! I need to remember to take my daily Symbicort doses and carry my rescue inhaler on long runs. Karen saved my life today!!! My breathing is fine now although I feel totally drained. Going to take a nap before getting ready to go to Stake Conference. Had to be there early for dinner with the visiting authority and Stake Presidencies and wives.

Inspire 6 (green) Miles: 12.00

Night Sleep Time: 5.00	Nap Time: 0.00	Total Sleep Time: 5.00	Weight: 0.00

Comments

From Teena Marie on Sat, Apr 30, 2011 at 17:57:33 from 67.2.88.232

SSF~

Oh, I don't like this. This is too much. I know you are tough, and I admire that about you, but this is something you should not toughen out. Will you please set an alarm on your phone reminding you to take the symbicort at the same time every evening. At least until you get in the habit. I know how badly you hate to take medicine, but skipping asthma meds is no longer an option.

Please, please, please do whatever you have to in making sure you take them. I am so thankful for Karen right this moment.

I love you. PLEASE take better care of my SSF.

What can I do? I feel helpless? That was just too close for comfort.

From Rhett on Sat, Apr 30, 2011 at 20:07:13 from 173.128.225.109

Smooth, I'm so glad you are ok. Thank goodness for Karen and the staring dog who were there to help. It is great having you blogging after your sort break, but hopfully you will keep it a little less exciting in the future.

From Kathie on Sat, Apr 30, 2011 at 23:47:41 from 97.126.209.130

Man that is so scary! I am happy you are ok but you need to take it easy!

Thank goodness for Karen!

From DaleG on Sun, May 01, 2011 at 01:17:40 from 67.2.26.93

Dang Smoothie!!! What a scary day for you. I'm glad you're ok. Please remember to take your meds and inhaler with you. Maybe you should carry some mace, too.

From Smooth on Sun, May 01, 2011 at 10:35:33 from 67.2.80.172

Teena ~ It (not taking the Symbicort) has nothing to do with being tough...quite the opposite, I was either in denial or simply forgetful, probably both!!! You always say I am tough! I really am not...I am just dumb and mostly stubborn!!!

I am feeling completely drained, like something has sucked the life out of me!! I took the Symbicort last night at 8ish after I got home from the adult session of Stake Conference! It made me feel weird. I could not sleep even though I felt exhausted. My airway felt raw! I don't like how it made me feel even although gasping for air was worse!

I will be fine! I think yesterday's asthmatic episodes came from breathing the cold air while running uphill and the adrenaline dump (the heart racing) came from the mutt chasing and biting.

Thank you for your concern! I too am very grateful for Karen! she didn't need to run yesterday as she has no upcoming race and have an extremely busy day with her daughers' many activities and finishing up the basement and her daughter getting married. Yet she would come and run with me and stay with me every step of the way! I would have been in a bad situation if I didn't have her there!

Rhett ~ Thank you for your kind words and checking up on me even though you are so so so very busy being a bishop. I have been thinking that I need to disable my blog! The next few weeks is going to be very busy.

Kathie ~ Thanks! I am going to take it VERY

EASY. I promise!

Dale ~ You are so kind and sweet! GREAT advise! I will carry my inhaler and mace. Never thought I would be that vulnerable. What happens to those days when I just lace up my shoes and run carefree! sigh!

From Teena Marie on Sun, May 01, 2011 at 11:46:03 from 67.2.88.232

SSF~

You are NOT dumb, you are one of the smartest people I know! You are, a little stubborn, I will agree with that portion. :)

My two cents: I really really really think you need to see an asthma doctor. There is no reason for you to feel as icky as you do. I have never taken symbicort. However, I love the medicines I do take because they help me tremendously. Maybe you could ask the doctor if you could be put on Advair instead. I know that Kelli's husband is on that as well.

I am sorry that you are feeling so drained. You had SO SO SO much on your plate last month. You always have a lot on your plate, but last month seemed to be even more so than usual. I hope that you can find some time to recharge mentally, emotionally and physically.

I hope you had a wonderful Stake Conference. I love you.

From Nancy on Sun, May 01, 2011 at 17:31:26 from 76.23.21.118

Wow it sounds like you had a very scary time. I'm glad you made it back to Karen's house.

From Smooth on Mon, May 02, 2011 at 11:07:07 from 67.2.95.253

SSF ~ Conference was WONDERFUL!!! Eric surprised me by driving super super early from the Boise airport (after traveling all day and night from Cleveland) so he could attend Conference with me. Prez. gave a wonderful talk. Elder Lund was funny, inspiring, Sister Lund whom I sat and stayed with thru all the Conference sessions is a gracious beautiful compassionate lady. She is a petite blonde and reminds me a lot of YOU!

I think my asthma is seasonal. Once the cold and allergens are gone, I will be fine! I am not going to experiment with different respiratory drugs! I don't have the time or will to seek out doctors who most of the time *practice* on patients. I appreciate your love, concern and offer of help and advise! You are my best SSF! Just knowing you care is lifting my spirits! I love you so much!

I am SO EXCITED for your Ogden marathon. You are going to run the best race of your life! It is perfect timing as a culmination and celebration of your months of hard work all the while you are studying and getting into PT School! You are AMAZING!!! GOOD LUCK with finals this week! You will ACE it as always! LOVE and MISS you!

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