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Pony Express Trail 50 miler

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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: Pony Express Trail 50 miler (50 Miles) 11:47:46, Place overall: 26
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
50.000.000.000.0050.00

 Pony Express Trail 50 miles

History:  6 years ago as a newbie to running, I read from one of Davy's early adventurous running blogs about his solo 100 mile runs on the Pony Express Trail.  I found it fascinating and thought what a wonderful thing it is to run 100 miles out on the Utah west desert on a historical trail.  Two years ago Davy fine-tuned that into an ultra event.  So on Oct 16, 2009, with the support of my best friend, Wendy, I ran 54K on the inaugural PE50/100 to celebrate my 54th birthday.  Our neighbor, Beth, also ran her *substitute* St. George Marathon there with us that day.  My time was just under 7 hours, not bad for having run a SGM course PR 2 weeks prior.  The last 5K of that 54K was painfully slow though.  I was envious of those running the 50/100 miles.  Since then, it has become my goal to run the PET 50 miles.  That goal finally became reality this year! :)

Preparation:  I've been battling with patella tendonitis all year.  It hurts at times but didn't stop me from running Boston, Ogden, UVM, Sogonapmit, Park City, Pocatello, TOU and finally SGM on Oct 1.  I've been extremely busy with my master bathroom remodeling and new bedroom addition that my training was limited to recovery and taper runs.  I felt that I might not have adequate preparation/training to run 50 miles. 

I hesitated to ask any friends and family to give up their Fall break to crew me but did challenge my friend Lowell Hawkes to join me.  He and I ran the Sogonapmit with a 4-1 run/walk pace and I finished that marathon feeling like I could've run more and literally no soreness.  We figured we'd use the same pacing plan for our first 50 miler.  He signed up on Thu. and I did the following day, one week before race day.  I was excited, anxious, nervous, apprehensive!!!

My best friend, Wendy, once again agreed to crew me.  Who but your best friend would give up a full day (leaving her husband and children during Fall break) to drive, support, cheer, feed, take care of two old fart/fartette?!!! :) :) :) :)  THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES OVER, Wendy (if you ever read this)!  YOU ARE THE BESTEST FRIEND one can ever have!  I am the luckiest girl.  I LOVE YOU and OWE YOU BIG TIME!!!! :) :) :) :)

I made a packing list of food and essentials and a schedule for Thu. and race morning so that I wouldn't forget anything.  Went shopping on Wed. night.  Washed and cleaned the car Thu. morning.  Pack the car with the non-perishable food and gear Thu. afternoon prior to Lowell's arrival.  Did all this in between moving into my new addition, cleaning the down stair guest room and bathroom that hubby and I occupied the last 3 months so Lowell would have clean and comfortable lodging.  He accused me of tricking him into doing this crazy 50 miler.  Plus he had to work half day Thu before making the 3 hrs drive from Pocatello!  What a GREAT WONDERFUL friend and running buddy Lowell is!!! :) :)

I made dinner (ham fried rice, pepper-tomato-steak, snowpea-carrot-chicken-cashew stir fry and lots of white rice, calcium fortified OJ) so that we could eat as soon as Lowell arrived at 6:30.  We made a last min run to the store to get some mole skin.  Lowell did the dishes while I fried up the bacon he bought (but I forgot to pack the bacon the next morning).  We turned out the light at 10:30pm instead of the intended 8pm bed time! :)

Race morning:  Didn't sleep a wink.  Got up at 3am.  While Lowell showered, I packed the coolers and we were out the door by 3:45.  We couldn't find the McDonald's at Saratoga Springs so grabbed breakfast at Betos.  Ate a ham/egg/hash brown breakfast burrito and drank a strawberry banana smoothie while the FINEST, KINDEST, MOST ATTENTIVE Wendy drove us 50 miles from Lehi to Faust.  We missed the turn off to Faust Rd at Five-mile Pass and back tracked for a mile or so.  There were rabbits darting across the road, thankfully NO deer.

The start:  We got to Lookout Pass at 5:20 am.  Walked down to the campground where sweet Maurine checked us in and were greeted by my idol/hero/race director, Davy! :) Lowell picked up the satellite phone he rented.  Used the tent potty then went back to the car to gear up.  It was cold and dark.  While Lowell was still putting on his gear, I saw runners with headlamps and glow sticks ran off into the dark yonder.   Silly us...we missed starting with the 6am runners!!!  What's the hurry!  Lowell showed Wendy how to use one of his three super duper cameras, snapped a couple of pictures in pitch darkness and instructed her to take copious notes.  FINALLY, we were off!  Wendy later said she could hear someone calling out: "Smooth, Smooth, where are you?"  :) :) :)

First 5 miles:  Within the first mile we passed a lady runner, Meg.  The morning was cool and dark, illuminated by stars and a crescent moon.  Lowell commented that it's a good thing we started the run in the dark or we might've been discouraged by what we'd see.  I was counting on Lowell's headlamp light while running in the dark.  

All was well until mile 3.75 a ghost or ghastly embedded rock grabbed my right foot causing me to take a tumble, a nose-dive if weren't for the gloved hands.  Thanks to my gloves, caprice pants, and long sleeve shirt,  only small pieces of my skin on my left knee and right elbow were left on the gravel dirt road.  In return received several lovely bruises on my left extremities.  My left knee was quite painful and I was concerned that I might've chipped the left patella since I have missed two dosage of Fosamax (I have osteoporosis).  But Lowell would have none of that.  So off we went to chase after Wendy who did not witness my embarrassing biff. :/

Lowell's head looked like a gigant light bulb! :)  I had a pink flashing flash light.

With a big burrito breakfast and smoothie at 5am, we only needed to drink water every 2 miles for the first 6 miles.  Ate a gu at mile 6.8.

What a beautiful sunrise behind us.

Time to take off the glow necklace, headlamp and flash light.   We didn't plan this, but both wore our Boston 2011 outfits...we're twinners! :) 

 

Wendy sacrificing her day...hadn't even had a chance to eat breakfast or put in her contacts to crew us.  She attended to our every need with loving care!!!! :)

Met Kyle whom we would leap frog and run with for the rest of the day.  His dad was his crew support.  They were wonderful company. 

We saw some wild horses around 8:22am.  What a beautiful, calm cool morning!  Stop to take pictures (having 4 cameras with us, no reason to not stop and take copious amount of pictures!).  Ate 1/3 banana and drank gatorade.  The first place 100miler, Jay Aldous passed us at around mile 13 just before 9am running fast and shirtless.

We were doing the 4/1 with the running pace in the 9s.  Lowell was concerned about the poop-a-loo.  I had bought a Luggable loo but didn't need to use it afterall.

One of my favorite part of running this trail is *you cannot get lost*.  Lowell commented that *you can't be found either*! :)  I absolutely love the surrounding mountains and barren desert. 

Mile 16.4 ~ Heading to the Simpson Springs parking lot/bathroom (had only a small trickle; and that was the last time I pee'd 'till the finish).  Ate a mini muffin and rest of the banana then head down to check in at the corral.  According to the result page, my time was 3:16:41 and I was in 30th place.  Phil Lowry passed us at Simpson Springs.

Lost Lowell for a mile or so when he stopped to chat and thank Russ, the satellite phone lender.  I ran with Kyle and commented that I seem to loose Lowell at mile 17/18 at every marathon we started together.  

Lowell needs to quit running in circles! :)

After reuniting with Lowell, the goofy party resumed!  He is SO FUN!!!  :)

The hunters with their SUVs, trailers & ATVs were now in drove causing humongous dust clouds.  To add insult to injury we had a westerly head wind blowing the dust straight into our lungs!  Lovely!  I used the bandana I got from the race packet until it got too warm when I shed the l/s top and caprice pants.

Here's a runner struggling with an injured mcl and dust storm!

One of the best part of the day was when jun (Craig) passed us.  He stopped to chat with us a bit.  He was running smooth, fast, strong and looking GREAT! :)  Wish we were fast enough to snap a picture.

Another high light of the day was running a little bit with Davy as he passed us.  THANKS Davy for slowing down to visit with us.  Davy's in his yellow Bear100 shirt.

3rd highlight of the day ~ Somewhere along this straight 18 mile stretch, Scott passed us pacing his friend.  SO NICE of Scott to stop and visit a bit. 

Wendy recorded that I ate some pretzels and gatorade after the Simpson Spring stop.  By mile 24 Lowel and I each ate 1/2 peanut butter sandwich, a cheese stick.  I was drinking gatorade and on my 3rd bottle of water.  By noon we had eaten couple potato wedges with salt, drank a smoothie.  The sun was beating down on us with clear blue sky.  Gotta hydrate well and take in enough sodium. 

Mile 25, HALF WAY, Lowell holding up 2 fingers, me 5...feeling GREAT!

Mile 27:  Lowell hit a low point.  He was feeling tired and started to have doubt about running 22 more miles.  He suggested that I ran ahead and he'd find another runner to share crew with.  We've been running with Kyle Quist, leap frogging with the Fleming brothers, Sean and Matt whose wives and children were terrific cheer leaders.  We also met a runner with his dog, Duke who had kept us company for a few miles.  Duke was AMAZING!!!  So there would've been no problem with him finding support crew.  But I would have NONE of that!  I told him we would continue on with our 4/1 plan and stopped to eat and drink at every mile 'till we get to Dugway Topaz Well around mile 33.5 (where I finished my 54K two yrs ago) a distance that Lowell has run before in one of his moonlight training runs.  I instructed Wendy that we would stop there and to have the camp chair ready for Lowell and I would doctor my blister.

My plan was for Lowell to sit/rest for 10-15 min.  That stop lasted 36 min.  No, Lowell didn't sit that long.  It's here that Kelli ran up to us and visited and even ran some with us.  We also had to wait for a long line of vehicles to pass so that we could take a picture of us standing in the same spot of my 54K finish 2 yrs ago at Dugway Topaz Well.

We just had to visit with the last driver of the parade of vehicles.

After packing up and ready to leave, a gigantic truck hauling some huge machinery bearing down from Dugway Pass formed a huge dust storm about choked me off of O2.  I took my inhaler in preparation for the lung searing run up Dugway Pass.

Three BYU students passed me heading up to the climb.  The boy in #6 started his 50 miler at 8am and his shirtless buddies paced him.  Later, on the other side of Dugway Pass, we found them being pampered by numerous crew members under a canopy.   Was that necessary?!!! :) 

Me a huffing up Dugway Pass.  You can see the switch back turn to the left with vehicles going up up up in a low gear, a *you gotta be kidding* sight!

Wendy must've waited forever to snap these pix of us going up the gigantic hill.

Half way up the Pass to see where we've run from!!!

Almost to the top.   A camping trailer look like a toy car.  To the east horizon, one can see a cloud of trailing dust created by hunting vehicles heading south.

At the top of Dugway Pass (Mile 37.5), the result shows my time at 8:51:20 and in 28th place.  Here I'm mooching off some pineapple from Kelli's car.  Kyle started to have tummy issues.

Kelli waiting with worries for Scott; but later was happy to see Scott ran all the way up

One of Davy's many great volunteers with clip board in hand by the *shoulder drop off*

The other side of Dugway Pass was a scary sight for my wobbly knees.  My left ITB and right patella tendon were burning with pain with every foot fall.  I walked down the steepest part with Kyle, fearing that one misplaced step on a rock would send me tumbling.  I wish I had the trekking poles with me.  I got them out later when Wendy drove past.  Here Kyle's dad pointing to where he would stop the car next.  Once we got to his car, he gave me and Kyle some ibuprofen.

I really enjoyed the last 10 miles of the run.  The trail after Dugway Geode Beds was mostly soft dirt/sand.  We caught up with this guy that had passed us early at mile 30.   I dubbed him *speedo*.  Lowell accused me of ...

I think this is Dorsimus and his pacer friends looking AWESOME!

Kelli drove up to us while I stopped to change socks for the last time.  I've changed socks 3 times.  It was so GREAT to see Kelli, wish we could've run more together. 

I took a gu (my second one) with 5 miles to go.  It must've had caffeine 'cause it kicked in 15 min later.  We hit a shady spot around Sweeping turn to north and I felt a surge of energy and took off like *horse smelling the barn* as Wendy put it.  She said she would tell Lowell that I'd keep running and she'd meet me at the finish.  So I took off with a bottle of water running at high 9 paces.

We had to run .75 mile out after passing the finish at Blackrock Station.  It was fun to run past the finishers heading to their cars.  Although I did not enjoy the cars heading our way creating more dust cloud.  I was mentally prepared for the 1.5 miles out-n-back and concentrated on passing couple runners on the .75 mile stretch.  I saw and met Jim Kern on his return from pacing Davy.  It was cool to see the 100 milers kept going while the 50 milers touched the turn-around sign. 

That green dot in the distance is me chasing down the runners ahead on the out-n-back.

Me kicking dust on the return with 0.25 to go.

Finished my FIRST 50 mile trail run/race with a nice medal that matches my shirt! :)

Ran back out to meet and run Lowell in. 

We did it, finished our FIRST 50 miler happy.  We made some friends along the way. 

We could have NEVER EVER done it without the loving care and support of our AWESOME Wendy.  

At Blackrock station.  I think Dorsimus is the one in green bending over by the monument while his buddies (in red) congratulating him. :)

A beautiful sunset to end a fun fun day.  We ran from sunrise to sunset, enjoyed every swiftly passing minute of the day at the Pony Express 50 miler run!  :)

We stayed for about an hour at the finish.  Ate the hamburgers the volunteers cooked, used the tent-potty, called home and RAD on the satellite phone.  Just as we were ready to leave, we saw Scott run in.  It was so fun to see Scott and Kelli kissed.  Then as we were getting in the car, jun (Craig) ran thru looking strong, like he'd hardly ran, but had run 68 miles!  WOW!!!!  He was close to catching Phil Lowry and eventually took 3rd.

It was a long drive home in the dark but neat to pass the first 100 mile winner.  Wendy expertly drove the entire day of nearly 200 miles round trip leaving from and arriving at civilization in the dark.  We were waved down by a fellow pacer whose vehicle got two flat tires.  He commented how lucky for him to get two flats and then find someone with a satellite phone to call home.  We stopped at Simpson Springs to use the bathroom while Lowell walked down to the corral to return the satellite phone.  It was so dark that I wondered if the 100 miles finisher would be able to see the turn down to the corral.

Post-run thoughts:  I loved every single second of my first ultra experience.  The fall at mile 3.75 and the wobbly knees descending Dugway Pass were not that bad.  We had wonderful weather despite dealing with dusty headwind at times.  The commaraderie was AWESOME.  The Pony Express 50/100 has the potential to be the fastest, friendliest, greatest ultra trail event in the country. 

I am now believer of the run/walk method along with proper eating and hydrating.  I feel that it was a successful 50 miler.  I slept like a log that night and am feeling fine since.  The only pain comes from the bruises which will heal up quickly.  May loose a few toe nails.  I did not gain or loose any weight.  I ate well and had no down moment. 

What a FUN FUN FUN day!!!  :)  I am forever grateful for wonderful friendship of Wendy and Lowell.  :)  THANK YOU BOTH SO SO SO SO MUCH!!! :) :) :)

Inspire 5 (5) Miles: 10.00Inspire 6 (green) Miles: 40.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Calvin on Mon, Oct 24, 2011 at 21:51:09 from 66.182.67.156

Impressive run Smooth. congrats!

From DaleG on Mon, Oct 24, 2011 at 22:17:01 from 152.216.11.5

Hooray for Smoothie and Lowell and for Wendy for helping you out. You all did incredibly well, as I knew you would. If you run it next year, I want to run it with you and anyone else that runs with you. What an amazing accomplishment.

You should run the Antelope Island 100k for me next month since I can't. Yeah, I'm sure that's what you want to hear right now. LOL.

From Steam8 on Mon, Oct 24, 2011 at 22:34:19 from 166.70.55.77

You are AMAZING! AMAZING! AMAZING!!!! You inspire me!!!! Congratulations Smooth! I am so excited for you!!!!!!

From Maynard on Mon, Oct 24, 2011 at 23:46:09 from 71.213.9.65

You are SO awesome and I am TOTALLY jealous. I might have to do this next year...

Congrats to both you and Lowell!

The big Q is this: any thoughts on a 100 miler?

From flatlander on Mon, Oct 24, 2011 at 23:50:37 from 76.31.26.153

After 8 marathons you did this? That is so impressive. I don't think I could ever run that far. Good job finishing it so well.

From Dorsimus on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 00:07:59 from 67.2.20.184

You guys were amazing! I leap frogged you guys for a few minutes with my little posse before moving on, probably around mile 40-43 or so. I was in the bright green tank top with Josh pacing me in the red shirt. You guys were just all smiles and stopped to take our picture - as we ran off we commented what a fun time you seemed to (still!) be having, and what a great voice Lowell has. :)

You can also see my knees in the picture of you giving the #1 at the finish - I'm taking a drink of warm water that seconds later nearly made me vomit - good thing you didn't take the picture then!

So fun to see you out there just getting it done - even though you had no idea who I was, I was hoping to see you out there and was glad I did. Great job!!

From Teena Marie on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 00:39:29 from 174.27.200.245

One million times one million WOWS!!!! Nice recovery after the fall (it didn't phase you one bit). Plus, in all your pics it looks like you are as fresh as ever!!! Seriously -- WOW!!!! :) :) :)

Congrats!!!! I hope you feel as amazing as you are!!! :)

Love you. :)

From Smooth on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 01:08:05 from 75.162.89.156

Cal ~ Thanks! Hey how ya doing, my friend?

Dale ~ Me running 100K on Antelope Island?! Is that 61 miles? Are you crazy? :) :) :)

Steamer ~ Thanks! How are you doing my tiny teeny friend? Hope you are off the boot!

Bradley ~ You will LOVE the Pony Express. Your whole family can come out to crew you. You need to do it next year for sure!

The big A to the big Q is: probably NOT! I think I would fall off Dugway Pass on the return in the middle of the night...it was scary to drive down it on our way back! :)

Flat ~ Yes, of course you can run that far and then some! You are king of mileage. In fact I think you'd do AWESOME in ultra.

Hey Dorsimus ~ Is your name Matt? I remember crossing path with you guys and meeting you at the finish. I just posted two pix with you guys in it. I remember Lowell asking you guys to slow down so we could take your pictures! You did AWESOME!!! Sorry about the puking.

SSF ~ We had SO MUCH FUN!!! Wish you were there! We ran nice and slow. Shhh, don't tell Lowell that I uttered the "s" word! :) He is the amazing one! Can you believe he's 69 and ran like a spring chicken?

I am feeling pretty good. Love and miss you! I need to go check on your blog.

From Dorsimus on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 02:13:59 from 67.2.20.184

Yep - Matt's me! :) Great pics - ha ha, that sure is me bending over, almost done with the nausea! :) Luckily no puking, just almost! Juns brother Brent is leaning up against the monument chatting with us as well. What an awesome day - so fun to see new pics and read reports and get excited about it all over again!

From Maurine/Miles on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 10:15:29 from 63.255.172.2

I was the one calling out "Smooth! Where are you?"

Congratulations to both of you. You were looking strong every time I saw you.

From Bec on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 10:40:46 from 68.206.133.141

This is just great! I loved looking at your sweet pictures. You are a hero. Just thinking of pushing through a 50-miler kills my mind. Can't imagine how the body would feel. Congrats. Take some time to rest, your body needs it.

From Chad on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 11:18:16 from 168.177.153.27

Wow! I read it ALL and loved every word. Congratulations on an amazing feat! It almost looks fun (from my desk). Again, Wow!

From MarcE on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 11:27:44 from 204.16.82.120

Way to go Smooth and Lowell! I loved reading your report and thanks for all the pictures! YOU ARE AMAZING!!!

From RAD on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 15:45:38 from 98.202.23.178

Oh I have been waiting and waiting for this!! I was SO excited when I got the call from Lowell and to hear that you had both conquered those 50 miles!!! The pictures are great. I tell ya, you are smiling in all of them and just look happy to be out there and alive. You truly are amazing Smooth, just amazing! I'm SO proud of your awesome accomplishment. Sometime I'll have to tag along with you :) I can't believe you are only complaining of the bruises from the fall (which probably would've had me stopping then!) and that you feel great. But, then again - you are Smooth and I shouldn't be surprised by any of it! Nice job Smooth, excellent!

Oh, and to turn and run Lowell in too...wow, just wow. I'd sit and cheer :) Thanks again for the call! I love you guys and am glad I got to run the first 13 'in spirit' with you both!!

From jun on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 16:11:25 from 205.158.160.209

Smooth, you were such a joy to see both times. I'm so happy for you and your accomplishment. It was well earned and it looks and sounds like you had an amazing time. Congratulations. I hope you really enjoy the memories.

From Kelli on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 23:21:39 from 71.219.90.3

YOU ARE AMAZING!!!! You did such a great job on that race---totally SMART about it. I am so happy that you had a good time!

Sorry for the pineapple causing heartburn, it was just so darn good!!!

LOVED the BYU guys, we were with them for a while. I would stand in the shade of their nice canopy!!!

KYLE---saw him a lot, too! How did he do?

From Smooth on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 23:42:46 from 75.162.88.196

Maurine ~ We thought it was you! THANK YOU so much for your support. You are always helping others, what a great friend. THANKS for the tips and advise. It really helped. You're the best! Wish we could've visited for a bit longer on Sat.

Bec ~ THANKS! It was really a fun day. We took it nice and easy. I think Wendy did ALL the work catering to our every wants and wimps! :) You should do it next year, you will have a ton of fun and your family can crew you! :)

Chad ~ It WAS fun! You should try it sometime, NOT from your desk! Heehee! :)

Marc ~ Thank you! Well, you've done ultra before. I remember the ones you did running around and around in laps setting up your own aid stations. Now that takes a lot of mental toughness! :)

Rachel ~ I really was happy out there. I don't know what it is with Lowell. One cannot help but be happy around him. He exuberates goodness and is so fun to be around...if you can handle his incessant teasing, making up poetry, stopping to visit with every man, woman, child, dog and creature! :) I only had to run 0.25 mile to meet and run him in so it was no biggie. I hate it that I didn't finish side by side with him at all the marathons we ran together this year. I guess with the last 5K to go, I just wanted to be done, the race mentality somehow sets in when the finish line is near. I am not really an evil woman, am I? :)

Craig ~ YOU were so AWESOME!!!! Seriously you ran like a ROCK STAR! It was so great to see you both times and got a hug from you! THANKS for sharing your greatness with us!

Kelli ~ I think the heartburn was a combination of that ibuprofen Kyle's dad gave me. It only lasted momentarily. The pineapple was SO good! Thanks for sharing! I LOVE pineapple. I would've eaten a lot more...mmm. Next time I would have pineapple for sure. Lowell kept asking Kyle's dad for water melon. I think water melon would be a real treat. Those BYU boys were so fun...but dang, were they spoiled.

Kyle had major tummy issue after the Pass. We gave him some oranges. I was surprised he struggled. He ran the St. George Ironman. I should've offered my ginger ale to him; but forgot that I had some in the car. I think he finished in 12:16. His poor dad (he's a bishop) was so worried about him. It would've been helpful if he had a pacer.

So, are you gonna run the Goblin 50K or Halloween Half? What's next?

From Kelli on Wed, Oct 26, 2011 at 09:33:55 from 71.219.90.3

I am pacing at the Halloween Half, but i am FOR SURE doing Goblin Valley next year. I had just missed so many footballs game already, I did not want to miss another one!

From fly on the Wall on Wed, Oct 26, 2011 at 13:23:08 from 204.113.19.47

Wow! Words fail me. I am in awe!

From Toby on Wed, Oct 26, 2011 at 14:37:49 from 199.101.224.254

You continue to amaze me Smooth! You are smiling in every picture! Incredible! It was a wonderful race report. Hope you are taking a few days off!

From Scott Wesemann on Wed, Oct 26, 2011 at 16:32:03 from 205.158.160.209

Smooth- I loved seeing you out there. You guys looked great and of course I loved your smile :) Congrats on your 50. Woohoooooo!

From Tom Slick on Wed, Oct 26, 2011 at 18:21:30 from 168.179.157.46

Holy Super woman, you make this 50 miler look like a big party. Good on you!!!!! Congrats on a "50" well done!!!!

From Teena Marie on Thu, Oct 27, 2011 at 01:35:03 from 174.27.200.245

How you feeling, SSF? :)

From Tom Slick on Thu, Oct 27, 2011 at 10:50:36 from 168.179.157.46

Wow, what a great racing schedule you have put together this running season....You da woman!!!!

From Smooth on Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 15:05:57 from 174.27.193.64

Mark, Toby, Scott, Slick ~ THANKS for the kudos! I really had a blast running the Pony Express 50. I now aspire to run the PE 100...may be someday.

Slick ~ How was your Dam Marathon? I LOVED it when I ran it two years ago.

SSF ~ I am feeling pretty good. There's essentially no recovery with the 4/1 pace...the recovery is built in during the 1 min walk. Trail running is much easier on the body than road running IMHO. With that said, I just signed up for the Mesquite Marathon, just for the heck of it.

From glidergirl on Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 22:06:37 from 67.2.166.52

I went through and read every word of this, thanks for recording all the details! I loved every bit of it. That is amazing Smooth! I hope that I can run like you some day. :) You were very smart in everything you did!

From Carina on Wed, Nov 02, 2011 at 19:13:56 from 204.15.86.83

Congratulations on such an amazing accomplishment! You are an incredible woman!!! Way to go!

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