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Phoenix 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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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
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
32.203.000.000.0035.20
Elixir 6 (bubble Gum) Sz6.5 Miles: 35.20
Night Sleep Time: 6.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.00

Less than 17 weeks before entering the MTC!!! :)

Our pre-Seminar (pre-MTC preparation) website shows that our preparation is 7% completed.  Ya, 93% to go!  Gotta get cracking here!  :)

Elder Brayden Sorensen, our bishop's son, recently returned from his mission in Mexico spoke today.  What a great young man!  :) 

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(5)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
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2 miles on the elliptical side by side with Karen.  20 laps alternating between freestyle and backstroke. 

Spent the afternoon at the Acura dealer trading in the 2001 Audi and bought a 2011 Corolla.  

Study and practice session 1 of the Fundamental of PMG! :)

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
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Had to take a detour to pick up Bryan from the airport, I-15 was a parking lot. We were 30 min late so he was late to his class but I hope he likes driving the Corolla.

60 min on the recumbent bike while studying and reading. Studied and watched the PMG DVDs all afternoon...making some progress. :)

Yoga class in the evening...ahhh...so good for me! :). Did anyone see that big bright moon?! Wish I was running another moonlight midnight mighty fun marathon! :)

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(2)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
3.003.000.000.006.00

Got to the LC early enough to find two TMs side by side. Hubby ran 2 then went down to the pool. Karen did 45 min elliptical then went down to the pool. I ran 6 miles with 0.1 mi strides x 20, TT: 52:12, then went down to the pool to find that hubby and Karen already done swimming.

10 laps alternating freestyle and backstroke. Cyndee B. watched me swim and said I have improved since the last time she saw me swim. That's because it's been weeks since she saw me plus I was in a hurry today so swam a tiny bit faster. :)

Deep clean my car in the afternoon after setting up and decorating the cultural hall for tonight's Blue and Gold Banquet.

Ate TOO MUCH Hawaiian hay stack at the B&G! :). Then we stayed late to clean up the church. My arms are über tired! :)

Elixir 6 (bubble Gum) Sz6.5 Miles: 6.00
Night Sleep Time: 6.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(5)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.003.00

AM:  3 easy on the track.  12 laps.

PM:  Bought a queen air mattress at Costco to take to David.

First tutor session with Bro. Ware from the MTC.  I really like the practice part of our tutoring session...helps us think about the person we are teaching and feel the inspiration.

Evening:  Packed for our Phoenix trip.

Elixir 6 (bubble Gum) Sz6.5 Miles: 3.00
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.00

Picked up Karen at 7am for our long drive to Phoenix.  We took the alternate route because SR89 north of Paige was closed.  Got off I-15 onto 89A at Togaville > Apple Valley > Fredonia > Jacob Lake > Flagstaff > Phoenix.  Total time on the road was 11+ hours. 

We had a nice drive under clear blue sky, very little traffic, a very scenic route through sandstone red cliffs, pine forest, and national parks, wonderful visit with Karen and listened to the 2012 New Mission President Seminar CDs. 

Called David when we're about an hour outside of Phoenix.  Luckily he was just getting off work (clinical) from the hospital and met us at TGIF on Happy Valley Dr., northeast of Phoenix for dinner.  It was so good to see him. 

Then we took the 101 loop to packet pick up.  Got there with half hour before they close.  Checked in the hotel around 9pm.  We were SO tired!!!  Took a Tylenol PM and set the alarm for 3:30am.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Race: Phoenix Marathon (26.2 Miles) 04:33:51, Place in age division: 8
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
26.200.000.000.0026.20

Woke up 2-3 times thru the night and finally got up at 3:15, showered, dressed, drank EmergenC and ate a banana.  Karen had a restless night as well.  Hubby gave me a blessing in which it says I would be able to push through the pain that would come.  (Wait!!!  PAIN?!?!  Push through?!  This is supposed to be a long run with hundreds of friends, not a race!!!  Pain should not be in the equation! :)  We confidently told hubby, Gary and David we will finish under 5 hours! :)

At 4:15 we went to pick up the breakfast-to-go-bag (orange, energy bar, danish) provided by the hotel for marathoners and rode the hotel shuttle van to the bus pick up.  I ate the danish with cup of oj in the van.  Ate the Greek yogurt I brought on the bus ride.  My body was still under the influence of the TylenolPM...so groggy!  Karen and I asked ourselves why do we do this, why do we not just do the Half.. we'd finish way before lunch, go swimming, shopping, movie and night out on the town!  Haha!!! :)

Got to the start around 5ish.  Rhett spotted me as we walked past him and his friend, Jeff sitting by a kerosene heater.  SO SO SO happy to see him!  :)  We chatted a little bit and got separated at the pop lines.  I kept an eye out for BeMo and AmyG but never saw them. :(

All the snacking on the drive yesterday, lunch and humongous dinner last night came back to bite me.  Karen and I made 3 pop trips before the race started in pitch darkness.  They had fireworks display (like a 4th of July celebration) after the National Anthem then everyone walked to the start.  I shed my 2 light fleece, long pants for the drop bag; and kept the gloves and arm warmers (that were part of the race swag) as the temp was a bit cool, probably high 40s.

The race started on time at 6:30.  We crossed the mat about 2 min. after gun time marching with the 4:40 pace group.  The first 4 miles were downhill from Usery Mountain on newly paved road in the dark under a bright half moon.  Caught up with the 4:25 pace group.  The pacer was on our bus...he was not very talkative...other than announcing his time and pace just before every aid station...he did not speak one word.  I had fun talking to fellow runners.  Mile 6 was uphill in a very nice neighborhood.  The hill didn't seem to be as bad as what the elevation chart shows.  We kept a steady effort.  The spectators were enthusiastic and fun...told us it's all downhill to the finish!  :) 

I have never seen such majestic cactus up close.  They have got to be 100 years old.  It is awesome!  I love the scenery and beautiful homes.  Took a gu at mile 7.  We walked through every aid station, stopped and waited for the pop at mile 11.  After each aid station, we'd slowly caught back up with the 4:25 pace group.  Each time we caught up to them, we'd stir up the conversations again.  The pacer would say:"There you are!  Wonder where you've been!"  We made friends with Terry (the smooth glider gal),  Judy (the foxy Teena-look-alike), Mike (the steady trotter), 4 girls/gals wearing identical shirts with the message:  Some wish...some want....some MAKE it happen,  a lady I dubbed Ms Punctual (her shirt says ON TIME), a guy with the shirt (No Speed Limit), several sets of sisters wearing identical outfits,  Mr. India, and finally Mr. Aussie (the Marathon Man) who was wearing a shiny blue unitard with a red cape and a "M" shaped like "Super Man" logo in front.  The middle of the pack was a lively bunch.  :)

I think we got to the half in 2:13 and everything felt great.  The course had a lot of turns so sometimes we'd get a nice welcomed breeze because it was getting really warm with the sun beating down on us and NO shade.  Running past a grove of orange trees was lovely.  The spectators were awesome...the same groups of families cheering over and over including Choo Baka and Princess Leah...girls with pomp pomps...mothers with pots and pans...lots of great posters.  I also saw two bottles on the road discarded by elite runners and a blue sponge (wondering if they belonged to Jake Krong). 

We were able to stay with the 4:25 group (they started 2 min before us) and were on target for 4:30 until mile 20.  At the mile 19 aid station I took a Gu, 2 salt caps and 2 ibuprofen.  My shins started to cramp.  It was getting really hot, my wheels were falling off.  Karen was so good to me.  She patiently, cheerfully, kindly stayed with me every step of the way, talked to me with positive stories and encouragement.  We even sang "Called to Serve".  Her legs would threaten to cramp when we slowed too much so she'd say:  "just keep moving, just keep moving."  I felt like I was running, but really just shuffling in pain with every step.  I did not look at my Garmin except when it beeped at the mile lap.  Karen encouraged me to keep moving:  "We can walk when we get to the aid station.  Larry will be there at the finish.  David will be so proud of you.  The missionaries have to learn to get along with their companions...but you get to cuddle with yours every night! :) :) :)"  What a great friend, good influence and blessing Karen is in my life! :) She refused to leave me.  She stopped to use the pop at mile 24 and told me to keep going and she quickly caught back up to me.  The last mile was slight downhill which was great and we saw hubby at the corner with half mile to go.  He ran us in telling us all the wonderful food waiting for us at the finish.

Karen and I felt like a million bucks with the spectators cheering loudly on both sides of the shute and the announcer said our names as we ran cross the finish together. :) :) :)

They have so much food provided by vendors at the finish, chicken, fish taco, protein drinks, otter pops, breads and baked goods, energy drinks, chips, fruits, snack cups.  There's a huge tent with PT, people to wrap your legs in ice bags and ice water kiddy pool to take care of your legs and feet plus a massage tent.  Outside of the recovery area are food vendors who offer free chicken, fish taco, hot dogs, pop corn for spectators.  Needless to say we did not need to go to restaurant for lunch. 

We heard and saw MelodyJ (Runningafterbabies) went up to the podium as 2nd place overall women as we headed to the clothing retrieval.  I clapped and cheered but I don't think she heard me! :)

I think this is a very well run/organized inaugural marathon, great support, race shirt, swag, medal, food, finish line festivities, etc.  The only thing I did not like about the course is the many turns and scary crossings at major road intersections.  The police did a wonderful job controlling the traffic which was rather heavy on a busy Saturday morning in these Mesa roads with many retail stores and restaurants.  The motorists were very patient however but I heard there was still a fender bender accident.  Finishing temp was in the 80s (my car said 86 when driving back to the hotel) and with no shade to be found, it was a scorcher.  Other than that, I had a lot of fun! 

After showering, we took an "ice bath" in the hotel's outdoor pool (the heater was broken so the water was rather cold).  Then we laid out under the AZ sun for some VitD therapy.  There were quite a few guys from UT at the pool and we had a nice visit! :)

Side note:  my daughter was running the Woodlands Half Marathon the same morning in Texas and we were thinking about her during our first half.  She finished in 1:51 for her first half marathon!  I am so proud of her!  :) :) :)

Elixir 6 (bubble Gum) Sz6.5 Miles: 26.20
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(17)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
32.203.000.000.0035.20
Elixir 6 (bubble Gum) Sz6.5 Miles: 35.20
Night Sleep Time: 6.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.00Weight: 0.00
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