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Orphan Hope Trail 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: Orphan Hope Trail Marathon (26.2 Miles) 04:46:26, Place overall: 41, Place in age division: 1
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
26.200.000.000.0026.20

I signed up for this marathon for couple of reasons.  It is close to where my daughter lives and her birthday is 5 days prior to the race...so I can come celebrate her b'day and spend time with the grandkids.  Another reason is the proceed of this race goes to building Safe House for the Orphan Hope International whose missions is to minister to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of orphans everywhere.  The race sponsor/organizer is the Masterpiece Fitness, a non-profit women's minstry in the Spring/Woodlands area.  They base their minstry on Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  GOOD enough reasons for me! :)

Got up at 5:30 after a sleepless night.  Forecast for temp at Huntsville at 8am is 28 w/ 12mph wind...too cold for the grandchildren so they stayed home.  Larissa and I left the house shortly after 6 for the 75min drive to Huntsville State Park where the trail marathon, half marathon and marathon relay take place.  Got there around 7:15, did the pop, checked in at the little lodge.  It was very cold and windy.  The race staffs had us go outside to make announcements and did warm-up aerobic dance, a first for me.  In fact there are lots of firsts for me today: 1st ever trail marathon, 1st ever Texas marathon, 1st inaugural Orphan Hope Marathon, 1st time hubby did not accompany me, 1st time my daughter come to a marathon, 1st time I sustained an injury during a marathon. 

The start and finish is right by Lake Raven.  The course is a 13.1 mi loop (x2 for marathoners and marathon relay) east then south to the south boundary and north to the northwest boundary of the State Park around Lake Raven.  The course is entirely on forest trails, rolling hills and lots of turns with two turnaround points (like an out-n-back where you can see those ahead/behind you).  There are no mile markers, 5 aid stations (repeated 2x for marathon) that are located about 2.5-3.5 miles apart, 6 port-a-potties at the start/finish and 2 at one turnaround point.  

I didn't have my fuel belt that carries fluid, nor my hand held which turn out to be a big mistake.  I wore my green windbreaker so I could carry an extra pair of socks, the inhaler, bandaids. gloves, gu and cell phone in the pockets.  I wore s/s top, capri pants, compression sleeves, running cap, sunglasses, double socks in the Ascend trail shoes.  I looked like I was ready to go for a hike.  I did see a marathoner with trekking poles.

After the National Anthem and prayer, about 400 runners gathered around the start/finish banner and with a 5,4,3,2,1 we were off.  Somehow I lined up right behind the fast guys and was quickly passed by all the runners.  I could not breathe, my legs and feet were lead.  I fumbled around with an ipod shuffle Larissa has loaded and loaned me.  

With zero experience in running forest trails I ran cautiously, picking up my feet and watched for roots, downed branches, pine cones and rocks.  There are a few muddy spots that I either hopped over or walked around.  Did I mention it was rolling hilly and a few wood plank bridges to cross?  I rolled my ankles slightly and tripped a couple times but kept my feet moving and never fell.  Not sure where perhaps between mile 6-10.  My right foot hurt bad with every foot-fall.  At first I thought it was tendonitis that finally thawed and hurting since my feet were frozen.  I tried to walk and stretch the feet a little.  I tried to land lightly but pretty hard to do with clunky trail shoes.  A runner in Fibram Five passed me and I envied him. Every foot fall felt like my foot would shatter to pieces.  Walking didn't help and eventually the feet just went numb. I was coughing, hecking up a storm and needed to take 3 puffs from the inhaler.  My nose ran faster than my feet. :)

The aid stations were too far apart.  I needed to pee bad, and finally got to one at the turnaround point around mile 16.5  First time I got to sit down, I thought about taking off one pair of the double socks to see if that's what causing my foot to hurt, but instead swallowed two ibuprofens w/o water.  I thought about pulling out of the race but how? I was in the forest.  The aid stations were too far in between.  In fact when I entered an aid station, I had to yell for water which comes in tiny 6 oz cups 1/2 filled.  The young volunteers handed out peanut M&Ms.  I had to ask for Gu, water or Gatorade.  After they got me a cup of fluid, they would say, KEEP GOING!  Geeweez, there are hardly anyone running close by.  We were pretty strung out especially after the half.  

The forest is so peaceful and beautiful. The are couple of stretches that are straight with soft clay or sand and pine needles.  I would pick up my pace and run like a road runner passing a few runners.  At around mile 10 (23) is a levy looking single track that's right next to the lake and one can see across the lake where the lodge is.  I imagined Larissa watching from there so I waved.  It was also very windy at this stretch.

At the half point, back to the start, a few spectators including my daughter were cheering, I forgot about the pain or to shed my extra gear.  The volunteers yelled at me to "run down and turn around".  I ran down to the start/finish mat only to be told that I turned around at the wrong spot, the timer guy asked for my bib# and said he would delete it.  I guess the marathoners and relay runners aren't supposed to cross that mat until finish.  In retrospect, I should have just called it quit.  

To run the same thing a second time over was hard because 1) I was depleted, 2) my foot was killing me, 3) the course got more muddy 4) the half marathoners are gone so less runners on the course and I had to rely on the orange tapes to keep me on course.  I don't know how in the world the RR100 people can run their loops 4 times. I thought about Crockett's agony running in the dark and over 24 hours and his enduring the pain to finish.  It gave me the umph and courage to keep going.

 Incidently the ipod shuffle had enough music for about 2 hours so I got to listen to the same songs again which was actually helpful.  Larissa had uplifting music, serene as well as upbeat music that came at the right time.  At one point, the lyrics came on: "My mouth is dry, my legs are weak....HEART ATTACK!!!  You give me a heart attack.  I must've died and gone to heaven..." So funny because right at that instant I felt like dying and the runner in front of me had his bib pinned on his back with the number 44 (double death).  I burst out laughing. :)

I tried to run with a smile...I think it helped.  There were couple of people cheering on the rollers about a mile to the finish.  They remarked, "You are STILL smiling!"  I was so happy to finally see the lodge.  I had both ear buds on and did not hear a girl sprinting past me at the last second.  She beat me by 2 seconds.  As soon as I crossed the finish, my daughter was right there and the first thing that came out of my mouth was:  "I did something terrible to my body!  This is the hardest thing I've ever done!" Not something you should say to a new runner...I think I scared her off from ever running again. :) 

The outside of my right foot hurt so bad that I was limping around before stopping to have my chip taken off.  I limped to get my food.  I was shivering uncontrollably.  The wind did not help.  Everyone was bundled up in coats.  I went to the park bathroom and had the hand-dryer blow warm air on me to stop the shivering.  I took 2 more ibuprofen and was able to walk normally to the lodge to check the result.

I took 1st out of 6 in my F50-59 division, 41st out of 82 total marathoners.  I went to pick up my award only to find that it was missing.  The race staff figured that the woman who took 1st in the same AG for the Half marathon must've inadverdently took it.  So they had me write down my info and said they would try and get me my award.  

When we got back to the house, my granddaughter had made and posted a *Congratulation* sign on the garage door!  So sweet!  I took off my shoes and immediately felt a lump on the bottom and outside of my right foot.  Upon examining it, I found a swelling about the size of an apricot at the base of the 5th metatarsal.  I fear that it is fractured.  I just hope it is an avulsion fracture not the Jones fracture or stress fracture.  I will go to the doctor when I get back to Utah.  I will heal.  

This trail marathon could've been a really fun and enjoyable run if I was feeling well or more prepared.  I have no regret for running and finishing even though I got injured running it! :) I will post my splits and may be some pix later. My half time split was 2:14:12.   Now off to get more ice for the foot. 

 

Mizuno Ascend 5 Miles: 26.20
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From flatlander on Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 16:53:25 from 76.31.26.153

I am so sorry you got a foot injury in our woods. This is two weeks in a row for my Utah friends, I feel responsible! I admire your determination to finish. I wouldn't have wanted to DNF either, even though you probably should have tried to find a way. Heal quickly. (BTW, anything under 11 minutes a mile is considered fast on those trails -- they are harder than they look. You did very well.)

From Tom Slick on Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 17:27:40 from 69.171.160.104

Oh Ms. Smooth, this trail race sounded awful. Too cold and windy, poor organization and the least favorite...on a trail.

But like a real trooper you went out and kicked butt with a sore foot and turned the whole ordeal into a super plus win win situation. 1st place in your AG and in the top 50% of all the runners at the finish. I don't think I'd be inspired to go run this one!!!!!Thanks for the great report.

From Smooth on Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 17:59:21 from 76.1.85.84

No need to feel responsible! Things happen! It's just bad timing for me with Boston 8 weeks away! Gotta think positive so I can heal fast! :) I requested wheelchair service at the airport for tomorrow! Painful when putting pressure! Stink!

That trail is deceiving. The first woman, a 23 yo, came in at 3:56:17. The first man, 41 yo, was fast though, his time was 3:06:13 and the second guy Same age came in 9 min after him. I just bite off more than I could chew! Lesson learned, the hard way! :(

Slick ~ sorry I made it sound so negative! The organization is pretty good for a trail run. I was impressed that they have chip timing for such a small field and for fund raising they had decent refreshment. We got banana oranges, water pre-race and cytomax for post run drink. One of the sponsors gave us sloppy joes, chips and bottle

water for lunch. Spectators had to pay $5. The Huntsville State Park is really beautiful with a lake and forest, the hills are not as technical as the Wasatch Back, I think, but I dunno since I have never run the Utah mountain trails.

As for the win...nothing to brag about...The 2nd lady came in 29 min after me. The ratio of men to women marathoners was about 4:1. Really neat to see some seasoned trail runners at this race. They pranced down the hill like deer, very cool! :)

From Nancy on Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 18:23:35 from 76.23.21.118

Congratulations!!! I'm sorry you hurt your foot. I really enjoyed your race report. I only ran one trail race in my life and that was enough. You are an inspiration to me. Thanks.

From Rachelle on Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 18:48:28 from 66.7.127.115

Oh smooth you are such an inspiration to me..always pushing and fighting forward no matter what. Congrats on another marathon and I am so so sorry to hear about your foot. Definitely crossing my fingers for the best.

From Maynard on Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 19:27:42 from 71.213.10.182

Sorry about the foot. Congrats on the finish and the 1st-in-age-group-finish. You are awesome!

From crockett on Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 20:30:09 from 71.32.233.205

Great job. Sorry to hear about your injury...I feel your pain on the same trails. I'm sure some of my muddy prints are still out there. Despite your challenges, you did great. My last 26 miles on those trails took me nearly 10 hours last week. Heal fast. I have 83 days to heal before my next race.

From DaleG on Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 21:23:53 from 66.87.64.179

Oh smoothie, you are too tough for your own good. I hope the foot heals up quickly. You pulled off another adventure. I kept thinking about you while you were running the race. Get some rest.

From Toby on Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 22:25:46 from 199.101.229.254

Oh Smooth.....You are such an inspiration! YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS!!! I'm so so so sorry to hear about your foot. Ouch! I hope you are able to get into the doctor as soon as you get back and get it checked out! Have a safe trip back home!

From RAD on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 00:02:57 from 98.202.23.178

sounds like my boot found a new home! :)

I'm sorry Smooth! I still can't believe this happened. I really thought you were superwoman and never got hurt. You always push through everything. I don't think I could've done another 16-18 miles on my foot the morning it fractured, but I know what you mean about just pushing through. Fingers crossed that you can get to the doc quickly and heal soon!! When do you get home? I will bring you my boot so you can move around before you get to the doc :)

From Chad on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 00:33:06 from 71.199.13.143

Brutal! And you kept going. You're made of some strong stuff Smooth. YOU ARE TUFF! I hope your foot isn't injured too bad.

From Rhett on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 11:24:46 from 74.41.249.102

Smooth, you proved how amazingly tough you are once more, although how smart you are may come into question now. :) Just kidding. You know what I ran on in Boston that one year. We runners are just a bit crazy and that's what makes you a great runner. Take care of that foot so you can enjoy Boston. And, congrats on the AG award, even with an bad injury. That is a great story to tell.

From Markir on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 12:22:03 from 67.186.208.113

I'm sorry to hear that your foot is injured and the run was so miserable. At least you can keep smiling. Incidentally, we lived in Spring for a short time before moving back to Utah. We loved it and kinda wish we had stayed.

From timp on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 12:55:17 from 144.188.24.26

outstanding job Smooth, especially for zero experience on forest trails!

You will heal quickly I'm sure!

From Scott Wesemann on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 15:38:37 from 205.158.160.209

Way to gut it out Smooth. You're tough! Hope your foot heals up quick.

From Teena Marie on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 20:23:17 from 75.162.92.164

Not only are you one tough cookie but you are also sometimes one "too tough for your own good" cookie!!

I love you, SSF.

I will be relieved when you make it back home late this evening and get it professionally taken care of.

From RivertonPaul on Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 11:15:34 from 67.42.27.114

Sorry to read about the injury, but very strong perseverance.

From Smooth on Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 13:58:48 from 174.27.202.70

THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH for your outpouring of kind words and support! I really really appreciate it!

Nancy ~ so you are not a fan of trail race? I have always thought that trail running is gentler on the body. I have hopes to eventually run ultra. But after this experience, I'm being to think that I may not be cut out to run rugged trails.

Rachelle ~ thanks! You are such a talented runner! I see a bright future in your running! Run smart and don't be stubborn like me! :)

Toby ~ I got back safe and sound last night. Spent all evening researching out for doctors. We changed insurance plus I've never had to see a doc. for running injury before so it was frustrating. Lowell helped with his networking and I got an appt with a podiatrist in Orem this afternoon. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is a minor thing...

Rachel ~ I almost suggested that we stopped by your house to pick up your boot. But my flight was a little delayed and Larry just wanted to get me home asap. I made some calls this morning and got an appt. The receptionist sounds very pleasant and helpful so I hope Dr. McKell is good. I hope hope hope the injury is minor!

Chad ~ I think if it happened in a road race with means to pull out of the race, I probably would have. I had my cell phone and thought about calling my daughter to seek help, but I didn't want to traumatize her. I really am not that tough, may be dumb and stubborn! :)

Rhett ~ yes I remember the year you ran Boston with a painful ruptured PF. I can now say I feel your pain...hahaha! And yes, I am a classic example of a dumb runneraholic pushing thru pain stubbornly. Seriously, is there such a thing as a finish line? When I crossed that finish line I was relieved only for a second that I'm done...but the pain was excruciating and all I could think of is O NO I won't be able to run my next race! Sounds so absurd! I guess only great runner like you can understand the insanity of a marathon junkie like me!

Dale ~ thanks for thinking of me! How's your running been?

Davy ~ my pain or challenge was nothing compare to yours on those trails! You were on my mind during the run, every time I came across a bridge...I remember your caution to not slip on them. They were dry but the gap between the boards had me a little worry. Every time I navigate around the muddy footprints, I wondered which ones were yours. When the pain got bad with each foot-fall, I asked: "how how how did Crockett do it?" You are my hero and inspiration! I credit finishing my 1st trail marathon to you for your example and goodness. I know I could never ever accomplish 1/1000th of what you did and contribute to the sport of running! Thanks! I wish you a speedy recovery so you can enjoy your next race in 83 days! :)

Maynard - thanks! I have so so so so much to learn about trail running! Am afraid I'll have to pull out of Antelope Island!

Kirsten ~ I didn't know you lived in Spring! If the weather wasn't so hot in the summer, I would love to live in the area...such wonderful kind people.

Tim ~ yep, zero experience resulted in injury. Not very smart! Thanks for your ongoing support!

Scott ~ how do mountain goats like you do it? Seriously, I am in awe of all the peaks and mountains you conquered.

SSF ~ hey at least the injury was done while doing something I love albeit a new experience, trail running that is. I envy you trying out new things in the world of Xterra! You will do great because you are smart to train for it unlike me just plunge into a trail marathon, what was I thinking?

The flight home was actually really nice! I checked in curb side and they had wheelchairs and golf-cart to take me to the gate. The flight was not full. They put me right behind 1st class so I propped my leg up on the arm-side food tray with plenty of leg room. :)

Paul ~ are we still doing lunch with the gang? I have been so out of it!

From The Quiet Pirate on Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 14:36:01 from 152.26.59.252

What an adventure! Congrats of finishing, even with all of the troubles you had.

I hope you get an "all okay" to run with RAD tomorrow for her birthday!

From glidergirl on Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 17:02:34 from 71.35.200.204

I love all of your race posts with the details and everything, except I wish this would have been another positive experience! Why does there have to be bad with the good?! Us runners really don't need bad to know the good, we already love running haha! You are a true runner, going out there and giving your all even though you were feeling worn down and unprepared! I loved the part "I wanted to call it quits, but how could I? I was in the forest!" Sending lots of positive healing thoughts your way. Even if you have to stay off it for a really long time in order to run Boston, you will still do GREAT and you will be nice and rested up to go back at it. Let us know the details when you can. Hope you're doing OK!!

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