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Morgan 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:

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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: Morgan Valley Marathon (26.2 Miles) 05:49:01, Place in age division: 2
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
26.700.000.000.0026.70

Wow! The last time I posted on my blog here was TWO years ago...same Sat. when I ran to the AF Canyon Half finish to see Gary and had a miserable training run!

Today I ran the Morgan Valley Marathon.  I deferred it from last year (due to hubby's very ill) so therefore I had a "free" entry, so decided to run it even though it's only been two weeks since I ran Utah Valley which was also deferred from last year (due to attend my grandson's baptism in TX). 

Anyhow, MVM is in its7th year (my first), all previous 6 years were at the end of July, but they changed it to end of June this year.  The course is beautiful, quiet farmland, gentle rolling, start and finish at the Morgan Fair Ground with the Full starting at 5:30. 

Hubby and I took our motorhome and stayed at the River Brige RV Park which is right by the Fair Ground on Fri. for packet pick up and pasta dinner.  The swag was amazing.  Met up with Lowell and the RD, Tara who gifted me last year's shirts and medal, so kind and generous. 

Race morning got up at 4:30, ate breakfast and walked to the start at 5:25.  Lowell was late so we were the last two to cross the start at 5:33.   Temp was probably in the low 50s, there was a stiff head wind the first half mile heading southwest, but not a problem when we turned on 100E going north.  We caught up to two ladies (who turned out to be in my AG) within the first mile.  The roaming aid station was a jeep driven by two women.  I asked if they could carry Lowell's bacon because he's forgotten his fuel belt.  He informed them that he would need it around mile 10.  They did just that. 

We had a lot of fun the first half even though Lowell had some stomach issues requiring  him to hide behind some bushes.  It took us 2:45 to run the first half.  By then he was done.  I had to use all kinds of tricks to keep him going.  He had to use the bushes couple more times.  When we got to around 15, he wanted to quit and went into the gas station across from the aid station.  He said he would take a ride with the Jeep and meet me at the next aid station.  Well, I decided to wait for him in the gas station.  That stop took  over 15 min. 

For the next 10 miles,  Lowell would get in the jeep every time it came by and I would keep on running ahead to the next aid station where he would be waiting.  I'd get him to run with me but he was clearly spent and could only jogged may be 400m and then walked.  I would run back to get him going.  I told him we would only walk in the shades (there were some cottonwood trees sparesely scattered). 

The last 2 miles were not fun.  My right shin started to cramp when I stopped at the Jeep to get Lowell.  I got some ice to put in my hat and bra.  Lowell made me eat a piece of bacon which is his magic anti-cramp potion! :) :) :)  I just wanted to get it done.  I know we had to check out of the RV park by noon.  So if I finished under 6 hours I would have 30 min to shower, eat and get out of there.

Crossed the finish in 5:49:01.  I had run 26.75 miles.  Tara gave me a hug and handed me a bottle of water and said to share it with my hubby.  She's been keeping track of hubby to make sure he drinks and not overheat.  Then I turned back and ran Lowell in! 

65th marathon in the book...glad I did it!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Tom Slick on Tue, Jun 27, 2017 at 08:39:18 from 66.87.127.231

Wow Ms Smooth, that marathon sounded awesome but challenging. Congrats on your 65th Mary! How's Lowell doing, has he recovered ? Love your race reports! Send My best to Bro-Larry!

From Smooth on Tue, Jun 27, 2017 at 15:21:05 from 97.126.136.17

Thanks Slick! Yes, Lowell has recovered nicely. In May, he did the St.George Half Ironman, then Ogden Half 2 weeks later. In June he did the Utah Valley Full and two weeks later the Morgan Valley Full. Yeah, can't accuse him of being lazy! Haha! :)

From Rob Murphy on Tue, Jun 27, 2017 at 15:21:07 from 67.166.78.47

I'm so happy to read this. Congratulations and more updates please!

From Rhett on Wed, Jul 05, 2017 at 13:20:09 from 66.185.237.180

It sounds like # 65 was as adventurous and fun as any. I hope you will continue to post at least your race reports so we can keep up with you. Best wishes.

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