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St. George 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: St. George Marathon (26.26 Miles) 03:57:51, Place in age division: 15
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
9.0017.260.000.0026.26

Could not fall asleep even after taking a Tylenol PM.  Tummy was tumbling all night.  Finally got out of bed at 3am, took my time to get dressed, used the br twice and had hubby drove me to the bus loading at 4:30.  Got there early enough to use the pop before meeting everyone at 5am.  The bus line was LONG!  Rode the bus with Karen, Toby, Bec, Rachel, Annie, Teena, Fonz, Lowell and Terry. 

Toby, Karen and I hit the bushes after waiting forever in the horribly LONG pop line and the race was about to start!!!  Never had to do that in the 32 marathons and many other races that I've run before.   Quickly dropped off our bags and met up with Lowell and Terry at the designated area so we could start together.  So bummed that I didn't make it to the Flyers' fire-pit to see my friends.

Starting temp was probably around high 50s,  no need for gloves or jacket.  We jumped in behind the 4 hr balloons and marched to the start mat about 5 min after gun time.  This is my 7th SGM, the excitement and energy never cease to amaze, SO AWESOME! 

I printed out a 3:55 pace band, it'd be a BQ for Karen and PR for me.  My best SGM time was 3:57:41 two years ago; so I felt that it was not too ambitious a goal.  However with the warm temp I pretty much threw that out the window and did so by mile 19.  I told Karen and Toby that we should try to run the first half around 1:59 and go for a negative split. 

Here are the mile splits (followed by the 3:55 pace band splits in bracket):

1.  9:24 (9:16)  Slower start to stay with the group.

2.  9:11 (9:06)  Being patient. 

3.  8:58 (8:44)  Toby got ahead of us after the first aid station but kept her within sight.

4.  8:16 (8:33)  Lost Lowell & Terry after the first aid station.  Picked up pace a bit.

5.  8:33 (8:55)  Gradually made up time from the slower start.  Took 1st gu. 

6.  8:17 (8:55)  Right on with projected time.  Caught up to Toby.

7.  8:15 (8:55)  A bit fast but figure Vejo would slow us putting us back on track.  Ran with Bradley (Maynard) and Brad a bit.  It was AWESOME to see Tim (Toby's husband) at the base of Veyo!  :)

8.  9:41 (9:59)  I believe this is the fastest I've run Vejo.  Really enjoyed drawing on each other's vibes.  Walked a tiny bit as we crested the hill.

9.  9:19 (9:32)  Loved the helicopter overhead!

10.  9:39 (9:16)  Beginning of headwind. 

11.  9:42 (9:38)  Had to take the inhaler to keep breathing under control, darn headwind!

12.  9:44 (9:11)  Tummy issue and lack of breakfast catching up on me.  Took 2nd gu at the start of this mile at the aid station. 

13.  8:51 (8:55)  Felt revived.  Our half split was 1:59:xx, right on target!  Told Toby and Karen that we're now gonna erase all the previous miles and simply start to run a 1:55 half.  They have both run awesome Halfs this summer (1:45-1:47) so it'd be a piece of cake to run 1:55! :) :) :)

14.  9:29 (8:44)  Stupid headwind!  Where's the 4hr group when you need them to draft off of! :)

15.  8:31 (8:28)  Really enjoyed these beautiful miles with Karen and Toby.

16.  8:35 (8:44)  Gratitude of running with friends and the gorgeous Snow Canyon filled my heart and spirit.

17.  8:34 (8:44)  Took 3rd Gu.

18.  8:51 (8:44)  Getting really warm.  Latched onto the 4 hr. balloons.

19.  9:26 (9:11)  Lost Toby at this aid station.

20.  9:37 (8:44)  Stayed right on the heels of the 4hr pacer.  Decided to let the pacer do all the work and tossed out the pace band.

21.  8:59 (8:23)  I normally run this mile the fastest but held back with the 4hr balloons.  Karen's hammie cramped up.  Gave her one of my electrolyte caps that I'm glad I  decided to carry at the last minute.   Took 4th Gu.

22.  9:22 (8:44)  Staying right with the 4hr pacer stride by stride. 

23.  9:11 (8:49)  Lost Karen after the aid station.  Still staying right by the pacer but itching to go faster.

24.  8:29 (8:49)  At the base of Bluff St. the pacer announced that this is the time to split up the group.  He'd hold his pace for a 4hr finish and anyone wanting to go after a faster finish should make the move now...so I did.  Dropped the 4hr pace group for good.

25.  9:06 (8:55)  Legs feeling fine.  Getting really really hot.  The guy in front of me came to a complete halt at the mist tent.  I had to veer off so as not to run into him...that's when the right calf started to get a twinge of cramp. 

26.  9:22 (8:55)  Saw Karen's family with a mile to go but could not stop as charlie horse was creeping up my calves bilaterally and on my left toes.  Running slower to stomp off impending charlie horse.  Missed grabbing the cup and spilled gatorade all over myself at the last aid station...cramping!

0.26 in 2:17 @ 8:58 (8:55)  With 0.2 to go I looked at my watch and realized the 3:55 goal was gone...should I have ditched the 4hr pace group sooner?...should I not slow down when cramp twinge came on...o well...just get to the finish...so very very grateful to cross the finish without charlie horse in 3:57:51, about a min faster than last year and 10 seconds slower than two years ago.  The best part is that I finally ran a negative split!!! :) :) :)

MarcieN and I must've crossed the finish within seconds of each other.  She and I walked thru the mist shower and got our medals together.  Walked around the finisher corral 'till Karen came in.  She finished in 4:00:03, a very impressive time for her first SGM!  Found Toby scooting along in the massage line.  She ran an AWESOME first marathon!!!  So so so so so proud of Karen and Toby!!!  Saw TomSlick who has had an incredible racing year.  Saw Don Bigger, MarcE, Rachel, Kelli, Scott, Rachelle, Katherine, Nicole and her sister and a few other friends.  Got my Grand Slam medal and award before bidding goodbye to this beloved marathon. 

It may be a year or two before I will run SGM again.  Although I had hoped for a PR here, I re-affirm my feelings that running and spending time with friends and family beats getting a PR.  I'm very happy to have seen many friends this weekend and so proud of each one of them! :)

THANK YOU my dear dear friend for your continuous love and support! :-)

Elixir 5 (charcoal 2) Miles: 26.26
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From timp on Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 10:04:54 from 144.188.24.31

sounds like you had a great race, Smooth!

From flatlander on Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 10:36:53 from 76.31.26.153

So impressive after all the races you have run this year. Loved it when you said "normally my fastest but held back with the 4-hour balloons". Really high age-group placing as well, congratulations on a great run.

From Tom Slick on Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 11:39:32 from 69.171.160.142

Yea Ms. Smooth....great fun informative race report. It was like being there from step one tell you steped over the finish line.

Great race and super focus on the task at hand. Talk about a busy race schedule, look at yours!!!!

So whats next on the running SmoothFastStrong running schedule????

Congrats on a well run SGM and a third place in the Grand Slam!!!!!!! Your great!!!!

From MarcE on Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 12:05:50 from 204.16.82.120

Smooth! You ran such a smart race. It's always a pleasure reading your reports and seeing your smiling face! :) I really didn't notice the headwind much - it felt refreshing, but now that I think about it, I'm sure it slowed us down a bit and increased our effort. Congrats on finishing and placing in the Grand Slam! You're an amazing runner! I guess I need to figure out where I'm going to run into you and Larry next. (I'm seriously considering running one of Utah's speedy 1/2 marathons to get me a guaranteed spot at NYC :)

From Rhett on Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 17:02:15 from 216.67.217.157

Great race Smooth. To run 10 seconds off your SGM PR on a warm day is great! You must have prepared well. Good job on the negative split as well. I think that is the best way to run that course. You always amaze me.

From Toby on Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 22:37:25 from 199.101.224.254

Smooth...I can't tell you what a relief it was to run with you and Karen. You eased SO many of my fears and nerves. You are such a wonderful person and it was amazing to spend a few hours with you at SG! You are one special lady!

From Teena Marie on Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 22:51:14 from 174.27.200.245

You did SO SO SO SO SO well!!!! Seriously, you have had an absolutely INCREDIBLE year. You really have set the bar high for the rest of us!!!! :) :) :)

It is going to be so exciting to see what this upcoming year has in store for you in all areas of your life.

Anyway ... congrats on another very impressive race! I love the pic of you and Karen! SO SO SO CUTE!!!!

Love you! Congrats again!!! :)

From allie on Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 09:05:57 from 24.10.191.18

way to go, smooth! eight marathons in one short year, and there are still 2.5 months to go! unbelievable! congrats on another great race. i'm glad you had fun spending time with friends and family.

From Smooth on Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 16:20:26 from 174.27.208.222

Well, it's been almost two weeks since the SGM. Feels like ages ago! Haha!!!

I just realized that I have run 5 marathons in 9 weeks. The house remodeling started on July 19, over 12 weeks and still not done! Time is a crazy thing! :)

THANKS everyone for your kind comments.

Flat ~ I'm so bummed that I did not see you at SG. You ran AWESOME!!! I still need to go and read everyone's race report.

Slick ~ Thanks! My next running adventure is the Pony Express 50 a week from today on Fri Oct 21. I just signed up and I am scared to death. :)

Marc ~ The headwind was refreshing for you who's acclimatized to the heat. It was hard on those who has asthma! :)

Yeah, you should come run one of the fast 1/2 marathons in Utah. Let me know which one you're interested in.

Rhett ~ Thanks! We sure miss you and Doone. I feel so much better and recovery so much faster having run negative splits on SGM compare to years past.

Toby ~ You did so AWESOME on your first marathon. You trained so hard and smart. You had nothing to worry about. It was an honor to run with you. You exuberate so much positive energy and enthusiasm and wonderful attitude. Can't wait to run with you again.

SSF ~ I am anxious to find out what next year has in store for me too. I am excited that you will run Boston. Did you sign up for the runner series?

allie ~ THANKS! I think we're so lucky to be living in Utah with so many races and marathons to choose from. I'm excited for your 5K quests this coming up weeks.

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