I Can Do Hard Things

December 21, 2024

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Location:

American Fork,UT,

Member Since:

Nov 27, 2009

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

St George Marathon

2011 - 4:11:52

2017. -4:01:17

2021 - 4:03:05

Salt Lake City Full Marathon

2013 - 4:23:03

Ogden Marathon

2012 - 3:58:35

2013 - 4:17:20

2014 - 4:02:51

2017 - 3:55:22**

2023 - 3:57:09

Utah Valley Marathon

2019 - 4:05:37

Top of Utah Marathon

2014 - 4:09:27

Mt Charleston Marathon

2019 - 4:05:33

West Mountain Marathon

2015 - 4:42:34

St George Half Marathon

2012 - 1:55:00

2013 - 2:03:00

2014 - 1:46:00

2015 - 1:48:00

2022- 1:42:45**

Salt Lake City Half Marathon

2012 - 1:51:00

2014 - 1:44:01

Hobble Creek Half Marathon

2001 - 1:40:00**

2011 - 1:45:00

2012 - 1:43:00

2013 - 1:43:00

2022 - 1:48:53

Ogden Half Marathn

2024 - 1:48:58 - 3rd place in AG

American Fork Half Marathon

2013 - 1:48:24

2014- 1:53:23 (pacing Tim)

2017 - 1:47:54

2018 - 1:48:12

2019 - 1:47:50

Timp Half Marathon

2012 - 1:47:18

2022 - 1:49:40 (AF Cancer course)

Utah Valley Half Marathon

2011 - 1:55:00

Top of Utah Half Marathon

2010 - 1:48:20

The Haunted Half Provo

2018 - 1:51:28

Goblin Valley 50K

2014 - 5:58

Red Mountain 55K

2018 - 7:31:37

Antelope Island Fall Classic 50K

2017 - 6:14:23

Antelope Island 50 Mile

2015 - 10:10:00

Antelope Island 100 Mile

2018 - 26:53

**Personal Best

Short-Term Running Goals:

Long-Term Running Goals:

To qualify for Boston

Personal:

Married for 23 years. I have 18 year old triplets and a 15 year old. I love to sew, garden, and run!

Favorite Running Quotes:

"Sooner or later the serious runner goes through a special, very personal experience that is unknown to most people.

Some call it euphoria. Others say it's a new kind of mystical experience that propels you into a elevated state of consciousness, a flash of joy.

A sense of floating as you run. This experience is unique to each of us, but when it happens, you break through a barrier that separates you from casual runners. Forever. And from that point on, there is no finish line. You run for your life. You begin to be addicted to what running gives you."

~Nike Poster

2. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

- Lao-Tzu

You’ve no doubt heard this. And you’ve probably recited it in your mind on a run or at the gym when you’re just beginning to get in shape. You have a goal in sight and this quote brings you back to the current moment.

But the problem is that many runners forget all of the steps between the first one and the goal. If your goal is to run under two hours for the half marathon then you need to be honest about all of the little steps to get to that goal.

…and what I’d rather see you do is to get the goal out of mind completely, but rather focus on the process, not the outcome. -Jay Johnson Process orientation, not outcome orientation.

You should have goals, but you should take it one step at a time. And you should be honest about the fact that you don’t know how many steps it will take to get there. ~ Vernon Gambetta

3. Human beings are made up of flesh, blood and a miracle fiber called COURAGE! ~ George Patton

4. Find the courage to be patient.

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:	This week:	13.95	Month:	44.34	Year:	964.25
2014 - Minutes Lifetime Miles:						28605.00

Fri, May 11, 2012

Slow miles	Fast miles	Total Distance
5.54	0.00	5.54

Hubby is home, but I decided to sleep in today and run during preschool. It was much warmer than I had anticipated, but enjoyed the sunshine. Vitamin D always does the body good!

49:18

AP:8:54

9:35, 9:13, 9:10, 8:56, 8:16, 4:06

I felt just ok on this run. I've been thinking a lot about the Ogden Marathon next weekend. I was having a bit of a mental breakdown on the run today.

I feel good about my training...I've been smart. I've built my mileage slowly and started to add some speed work (I don't think I would have done anything differently, but I still have a long ways to go). No injuries. But I don't think I'm any faster or stronger than St George.

Here comes the mental breakdown part. I saw several women out running today. None were overweight but not super fit and trim. They had less than perfect form. Just plugging along. AND it hit me....I was looking at myself. I look just like they did.

For the longest time (this is before having kids and 2 years ago when I started back running), I thought I knew everything about running. I was thin and "fit". I was fast. I could do it all.

But I can't. Some days I struggle to just stay afloat with life. And I'm not sure I'll every be a really great runner. Maybe I'm just realizing what my running ability is and I need to adjust my goals and expectations. Qualifying for Boston may never happen. I may just always fit in that "average" category. Maybe I need to just accept that.

All of this garbage was floating through my head during the run. Isn't that why we run.....to get out all the garbage?

SOOOOOO.....I don't really have a goal for Ogden. This will only be my second marathon, so it is hard to judge where my fitness level is. I feel like my confidence is slipping away by the minute. Sorry for the sad post....sometimes writing things out helps me sort through issues.

I came home and worked in my garden all afternoon. I got my hanging baskets for my front porch so we can have our annual "Mother's Day Picture". Flowers always make me feel better.

C'est la vie.

Weight: 0.00

Comments

From Bec on Sat, May 12, 2012 at 11:01:46 from 68.206.133.141

Oh Toby... :( This post did make me sad. You can't afford to think like that because you are SOOOO amazing! It took me 10 marathons to qualify for Boston, 10!!! There were even two 4:30 marathons in there. Please don't get frustrated. Becoming a great runner takes YEARS to get to. All of us struggle.

I think it's ok NOT to have a goal, it will take the pressure off your marathon. Feel comfortable and enjoy Ogden. PLEASE think positively. You are doing all you can do be a great mom, wife, runner, sewing lady, etc. Think of the example you are to your kids by running that far? Not many kids can say they have a mom that runs marathons.

I hope and pray that when I have children of my own I CAN still run like you and Rachel. Motherhood frightens me for various reasons, running being one of them.

Please press forward and enjoy your marathon, you truly deserve that. Boston will come one day, it really just takes TIME.

From Toby on Sat, May 12, 2012 at 22:03:07 from 199.101.229.6

Bec...you totally made my day! THANK YOU for your kind words! Sometimes I forget WHY I run. It is hard and does take time. There was a reason why Heavenly Father sent me triplets - - TO LEARN PATIENCE!!!!! Thanks for being my cheerleader!

From RAD on Sat, May 12, 2012 at 22:22:15 from 98.202.23.178

ditto Becca! :)

I too have run TEN marathons and have not yet qualified for Boston. I run with big thighs and hips flapping in the wind and terrible form. I had someone just today (who lives down the street from me and is just starting running, ran her first 5K in March in like 35 min) tell me "oh, and a couple of my friends ran Boston last month...they QUALIFIED to run Boston and did it and they loved it and said it was so neat!" OH SHUT UP! (can you hear me saying that? :) ) I wanted to kick her, but it made me realize what a poor runner I am. I try and try and try, but I just can't say that I've qualified yet and then she goes and throws that in my face. I wanted to explain why I hadn't ever qualified, the ITB the pregnancy, the crazy weirdo mishaps in my life, but I realized it didn't matter to her, it didn't matter to those girls, it only mattered to me. We have to remember that if we don't love running -no matter WHAT time we finish in, no matter WHAT place we take, no matter WHAT we do or don't qualify for, then it is all for naught. We MUST enjoy the journey. When it gets to burdensome and heavy...we need to re-prioritize. So, do it. Go enjoy Ogden. Hang out with Smooth and Karen and just let them and the crowd take you away. If after you get over the dam and hit the canyon you are feeling good - pull ahead and take that downhill! If not, just hang with them and enjoy it. You will do great. You HAVE put in the time and effort and speed work. I have every confidence in you that you are NOT average. YOU are a Divine Being created in the image of God and whether or not you ever qualify for Boston or run a sub 1:30 half...I will still love you, love running with you, love chatting with you and honor that divinity IN you.

Glad you are feeling better today, and that those flowers made you feel better! I've decided this week I'd rather work in my yard 4 hours a day than do dishes, laundry and clean bathrooms :) SO much more soothing...and more my style! Missed you this morning, but can't wait to see you Saturday!

From Toby on Sat, May 12, 2012 at 22:30:26 from 199.101.229.6

Ohhhh you girls just want to make me cry! Sometimes it is hard to explain "running feelings" to someone who doesn't run. They just don't GET IT!

Thank you THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for listening to my pity party :) For being my "running" friends and understanding.

PS...Rachel, I wish you would have tripped that girl. She obviously doesn't get it :)

We need to get together for dinner on Friday night. I may head up early to drive part of the course. I'll text you! AND I'm bringing my Sharpie to write on your arm....JUST BELIEVE or FIND YOUR STRONG or I CAN DO HARD THINGS.

From RAD on Sat, May 12, 2012 at 23:29:31 from 98.202.23.178

Well, she wasn't running...we were just standing and chatting. So, I could've pushed her over! :) but, she was holding a baby...dang cute babies. I think she was just playing the 'one up' game, but I didn't play...so poo on you! :) I'm so nice, aren't I?!?

Yes, Friday - dinner! I'm making my husband come home ON TIME!

Sharpie you say? that's permanent :) okay, I'll find something good.

From Bec on Sun, May 13, 2012 at 13:35:16 from 68.206.133.141

Gosh girls, I love this blog! Reading your posts I can completely relate to the thoughts and feelings you both have about running.

Rachel, That girl ran a 35 min 5k? Ummmm, and she is bragging about her friends? I don't know her but I do know we should take her for a run and see how she does. ;) She obviously can tell you HOW to run...

TOby, This is your week to relax. Get a massage, eat some yummy noodles, paint your dismantled toenails (don't know what yours look like but mine are pretty hashed), eat ice-cream, play gold, sleep in, go swimming, bike riding. You get my drift.

What happens on Saturday is something you should be proud of and also learn from. Good luck!

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