I Can Do Hard Things

Top of Utah Marathon

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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

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: 

1.  

"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.

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Miles:This week: 22.33 Month: 127.28 Year: 374.00
2014 - Minutes Lifetime Miles: 28605.00
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
7.0026.2033.20
2014 - Minutes Miles: 319.00
Weight: 0.00
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
3.000.003.00

Home TM

2014 - Minutes Miles: 30.00
Weight: 0.00
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Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
2.000.002.00

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2014 - Minutes Miles: 20.00
Weight: 0.00
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2.000.002.00

Easy on home TM

2014 - Minutes Miles: 20.00
Weight: 0.00
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Race: Top of Utah Marathon (26.2 Miles) 04:09:27
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
0.0026.2026.20

 

PRE-RACE THOUGHTS
 

When I crossed the finish line of the Ogden Marathon in May, my cup was full of sadness, disappointment, and frustration.  None of those are the reasons why I run.  I knew I had to make a personal change, but I didn't know what I needed to change.....my training, my goals, or my mental toughness.  I just didn't know.

 
I started another training cycle with hopes of qualifying for the Boston marathon in the fall.  I was able to increase my mileage to a steady 50 miles/week.  I continued with my strength training and stretching.  I even made the ultimate commitment to hit the track once a week.  And to put the icing on the cake, I invited some very talented runners to help push me.
 
But my hip started to ache.  Not just the "oh, I'm tired" ache...but the ache of something is definitely not right.  That feeling of dispair started to settle and I went through the mourning cycle.  Anger, sadness, depression.....anger, sadness, depression.
 
I was diligent with my rehab.  But I knew if I wanted a happy hip, I had to reduce my miles and cut out my speed work.  I continued to workout and did not know what the future would hold.
 
Just a few weeks ago, I decided to run the Top of Utah Marathon in Logan, Utah.  I still had the desire to get a BQ, but knew my training was not 100%.  So I had no specific goal in mind.  In fact, I asked Smooth (a dear running friend and travel buddy) in the hotel the night before the race what she thought my goal should be.  She suggested a PR, which would be a 3:58 or under.
 
FRIDAY
 
I was at the grocery store just before I left town and spotted Allie (Utah's elite marathoner). We talked running in the produce section.  What a treat!  I was able to take a long nap before I picked up Smooth.  It was great to catch up with her on the way up to Logan.  I sure love that lady.  She is funny and full of wisdom!  We thoroughly enjoyed the fall leaves though the canyon.  We drove the last portion of the course (which included lots of twists and turns) to familiarize ourselves with it.  We headed to the race expo and then got some pizza (another Allie sighting).  We went to the hotel and crashed early!
 

 
 
RACE DAY
 
Smooth and I got on the hotel shuttle to head to the busses.  It was perfect weather for race day!  I got a little motion sickness on the way up and it felt like we were on the bus forever.  I was so excited to see the start staging area!  After waiting in the POP line, we headed to the warm tent.  Soon enough it was time to shed our warm clothes and go to the starting line.  It was cold and I was thrilled!
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
I decided I would try to stick with the 3:55 pacer as long as I could and shoot for a PR.  The gun brigade went off and 26.2 miles lay ahead of us.  The 3:55 pacer went off like a shot and by mile 2, I looked at my watch....we were running a sub 8 minute miles.  YIKES, I knew I couldn't sustain that pace.  I knew the pacer was trying to bank some time while going down the canyon.  I couldn't hang on.
 
I let him go and started to feel sad.  Another running failure.  Another step backwards.
 
During the next several miles, I had a "come-to-Jesus" talk with myself.  I knew I didn't have the training for a BQ.  I was starting to realize maybe a PR wasn't in the cards either.  So why be so sad and disappointed? Could I let those feelings of dispair go?  Could I just go with the conditions that were present?  Could I be flexible?  It took me several miles to think and contemplate.
 
Around mile 10, I came to the conclusion that I could not have another bad race.  Mentally, I couldn't handle it.  I needed to have a positive experience because I don't run to feel sad.  I don't run to feel like a loser.  I don't run to have the weight of the world sitting on my shoulders.  I run because I love the way it makes me feel.  I run to feel empowered.
 
So I just decided to run.  Suddenly the fall leaves became brighter.  I could feel a slight tailwind.  I could hear the volunteers cheering my name.  I could feel myself smile.  I didn't look at my watch for the rest of the race.  I knew my pace was slowing down, but my spirits were staring to soar. 
 
At one of the aid stations, I heard a little boy yell, "I have the best gatorade ever".  He was waving his cup around, sloshing red stuff everywhere.  He totally made my day!  I took his drippy cup and it tasted better than any other gatorade I had the whole race.  Thank you little man for your enthusiasm.
 
We exited the canyon.  I was thrilled to see spectators out cheering for their loved ones.  Their signs they held were bigger and brighter than any I had seen.  Their cowbells were louder.  Their pump fists bigger.  I was actually feeling this race.
 
The GU I took at mile 18 almost made me barf and I think I freaked out some volunteers. It made me laugh.  I threw it out and took an orange and salt tablet instead.  
 

 
 
The last 6 miles were full of twists and turns.  I started visualizing my favorite training runs...."oh I just have to the trail bathroom and back...I can totally do that".  I was able to sing to the songs in my head flowing through my iPod.  I could hear the music from the finish line around mile 24.  I didn't have feelings of desperation.  I was alright.  The mean little hill on Main Street wasn't so bad.  The finish line didn't seem forever away.  I cherished the announcer calling out my name.  I had enough strength to raise my hands under the finish arch.  I could smile. I could feel the excitement and not feel like I was going to die.
 
At the finish of every race, I have a tendency to bend over and put my hands on my knees.  I think the immediate stopping makes me loose my balance or puke.  I had a sweet volunteer call me by name and ask if I need a bucket.  For once, I was able to smile and tell him no thanks....I am great!  I walked through the finish area and saw the medical area with several runners hooked up to IV's.  I felt a deep gratitude that I was able run not necessarily fast today, but happy and healthy.  
 

 
 
I'm sure some may look at this race as I set a goal and failed to meet it.  
 
Yes....I didn't hit a PR.  
 
BUT I was able to let go of a lot of negative demons.  I was able to feel in this race.  I was able to smile and enjoy.  I was able to sing songs in my head after running for 4 hours.  I call it victory.
 
Don't get me wrong, I still have a goal of qualifying for Boston.  But it is going to be a journey.  
 
A long one.  
 
And if it is going to be up and down, hilly, and hard, I need to soak in all of the goodness it has to offer. 
 

 
 
So now my plan comprises of a week of nothingness.  I need to clean my house.  Pick the raspberries, potatoes, carrots and beans in my garden.  I have a goal to have no workout clothes in the wash.  I need a break.  I'm thinking about running a 50k in October.  I'm going to do the least possible amount of running I can to finish the race.  
 
I'm going to cut my mileage and intensity way back during November and December....lots more cross training.  I'll start picking things back up in January.  I've been giving 110% for 1.5 years and my body needs to recover.  I'm curious to see what 2015 will bring!
 

 

 

 

 

2014 - Minutes Miles: 249.00
Weight: 0.00
Comments(6)
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
7.0026.2033.20
2014 - Minutes Miles: 319.00
Weight: 0.00
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