The kids have been talking about running a race for the last several months.
In November, St. George held the Snow Canyon Tuff Kids Race.
PERFECT!
Shay, Miriam and I signed up our kiddos to run and they had a BLAST!
The kids with their timing chips on their shoes...gearing up and ready to run!
Lincoln, Charlee, Griffin, Peyton, Maycee, Cooper, Kai, Emmy, and Belle
It was a really cold morning and looking back, I wish we would have brought more clothing!
My little kiddos. So cute!
Peyton on the move!
Cooper coming around the last turn...almost to the finish line.
Maycee, Belle, Griffin and Me
Lincoln on the home stretch!
Charlee, Griffin and Me - I kept telling her to hustle and run as fast as she could to beat the girl on her right...With some extra encouragement she zipped right past her and crossed the finish before the other little girl did!
Shay and Boston right before the finish.
All these AMAZING little runners at the finish - wearing their medals!
Where do I begin?
Last year I ran the St. George Marathon. I was so happy I did, but I vowed I would NEVER do it again. The memories were all to vivid... waking up at 4 a.m. to go on the long runs, short runs throughout the week, pushing Griffin in the jogging stroller, thigh muscles so big my pants wouldn't fit anymore, the late night hunger, the actual day of the marathon, the pain and suffering, the enduring to the end...OH, it was a tough day.
All in all, I was so happy I did it. I had such a sense of accomplishment. Running the marathon was hard for me. I am not a born runner, I am not even 5 feet tall. I have to take three times as many steps as an average size person. So to say the least, I am short and stubby. I had to work hard to get in the miles so it truly was a HUGE accomplishment for me.
Last May I started training for the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon. 13.1 miles are so much better than 26.2. I tried to convince myself that a Half Marathon is such as big of a deal as a full. I trained and ran my guts out. I ended up getting a great time at the half - 2 hours 2 minutes! And, the best part? I felt good at the end!
So, I did what any normal person would do. I decided that I would do the St. George Marathon AGAIN! Because really, who's kidding who? A full marathon is so much more COOL than a half!
I think I have a sick disease because really, I fell in love with running - all over again.
RACE DAY!
I woke up at 4:00 a.m. Took care of my morning running ritual.
You know, get dressed, go potty, put the contacts in, brush the teeth, socks and shoes, headband, Garmin, ipod, deodorant, potty again, make a PB&H sandwich...blah, blah, blah.
I woke up Mike and we headed off to the P.D.
It's only 5:15 a.m. I was a little nervous when I got out of the car...it was already warm. EEK! I said a little prayer that the day wouldn't get to hot to fast. The heat kills me while I'm running! Then posed for a little pre-run photo op!
Before I knew it, RUNNING FRIENDS arrived!
Here is LeAnn, Shay, Me and Shaunna (who just had a baby 4 months ago! Yeah, really!)
We all talked up a storm and made several comments as to WHY all the girls were running and the husbands were the ones dropping us off....? Kinda weird?
Then, it was time. Time to get into the van and start the journey up the mountain - to the start line. There really isn't any turning back now.
Okay, so we are lucky. Perks of being police wives, we were able to ride up in the patti wagon.
No waiting for buses, or standing up at the start line for hours.
Hope in the van, take our time riding up the mountain and then only having to wait around for about 15 minutes before the race starts. Yeah, I felt kind special for a minute.
Once we got to the start line we met up with other friends from our running group. Isn't it cute? We all had matching shirts!
Tom, Jacqui, Me & Shay.
Getting WAY to excited to start this race...notice the line up of port-o-potties? Yeah, we chose the best backdrop possible!
I'm not going to give a mile by mile recap - that's long and boring.
Because in all reality - no one cares about what happened while you were running. They all just want to know if and when you finished. Right? It's okay to admit it. It won't hurt my feelings.
Shay Shay running her guts out - I seriously DO NOT know how she had the ability to sprint at the finish. But look at her GO! And with her little Davey (bike cop husband) riding along beside her!
Okay, I do have to say THIS - Dave you are pretty awesome! Those last few miles were HELL. Knowing I would see you every few minutes to encourage me, have a familiar face telling me "YOU GOT THIS" was the best.
Here I come...towards the finish line. I was searching for my family...but never could find them.
They were there, right by the finish line - taking the pictures. But I must have been so delusional, because I never saw them, heard them...NOTHING.
I did it. Again. 5 hours 15 minutes. I didn't make my goal time...Argh. I can't beat myself up to much because I beat my time from last year by 20 minutes.
After I crossed the finish line, I got my super cool finisher medal. I was a little scattered because I was thinking "Really? They didn't make it here on time? Where is my family?!" Because honestly, it wasn't like I finished in record time. I gave them PLENTY of time to get there. "WHERE THE FREAK IS MY FAMILY?" Then, I found them! Best sight ever. I seriously almost cried.
Shay, Shannon, Debbie and Me at the finish line!
Afterwards, I went into the runners area...scored myself a Popsicle and sat down. Which was a bad idea. I realized how tired I was and knew if I stayed sitting down, it was going to be impossible to get myself back up. I got up and began the search through the sea of people to find the family.
There they all were to greet me! I really couldn't have made it through all the training if I didn't have their support and encouragement. Love them ALL for everything.
Me and Shay.
I love my little Shay Shay!
26.2
Because I Can
A week after the marathon, a friend posted this video on facebook. With the St. George Marathon still so fresh in my mind, this video had a huge impact on me.
I was able to relate to this message and want to share it with you.
26.2 - Because I Can
I wouldn't have signed up if I knew I couldn't finish.
I can't believe it! The marathon is less than 2 months away and running is becoming my life. This morning Shaunna and I ran 12 miles for our training. Each week we have a long run and increase our miles so that by the time the marathon rolls around, we are READY! I know this sounds crazy, but today was a GREAT run! The weather was perfectly overcast and lightening was striking in the distance. Around Winchester we felt drops of rain which lasted for about a mile, aahhh it felt wonderful. Sometimes during a run, I will feel completely exhausted and want to quit, today was not that day! I was having one of those "I can run forever" moments. I think Shaunna was too!
Throughout the last 8 months of running, I have been able to have a lot of "quiet time." Time to think, or not think, enjoy the beauty of Southern Utah, curse the heat and smell real sweaty. However, during my quiet times I have the opportunity to really focus on things that matter. Right now, LIFE matters a lot to me. Griffin is almost two and it is hard to believe the day he was born was the day I almost left this earth. Since then, I have had a change of perspective and during my runs, I think about them... A LOT!
Life is precious, it can end so quickly and without any warning.
Companionship, trust, and love.
I treasure the moments I snuggle with my kids and now snuggle every chance I get.
Hearing the words I LOVE YOU never get old. I say it all the time...to everyone I love.
True friendships are important.
Children grow up to quickly so never pass up the opportunity to spend time with them.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is TRUE!
Priesthood blessings provide miracles.
Trying new things is healthy. And, not just food. Like camping...!
Service to others is a must! If I see a need, I have a great desire to fulfill it.
Some money is a must, but lots of it is not.
The world is full of beauty.
Power tools provide an outlet for moms.
Pink is a FABULOUS color. I'm not ashamed to admit that if I wasn't married, my kitchen would have several PINK appliances.
Cupcakes are delicious and should be eaten at every opportunity.
Talent is given from God. Use it.
There are so many things that fill my mind while running. I really am grateful I have the ability to run. I am happy I am healthy. I am thankful I have had certain experiences in my life to help me prioritize and focus on what really matters. Thank you RUNNING for giving me the time to reflect...
This morning I took Griffin on my run with me. I usually dislike having to take him because that means I have to push him in the jogging stroller and that means my run is ten times harder than just running alone. But, it is a good workout, especially when running hills.
I started at 7:00 am (this is early for me) but the air was so cool and smelled so good, not sure why but I knew it was going to be a good run. Do you ever just find that pace, you know, the pace that feels so good....you can just run FOREVER? That is the run I had this morning. It is those runs that have made me addicted to running. I would have kept going, but I told Cooper and Charlee I wouldn't be gone long...I didn't want them to get nervous, you know!
Now, there was MANY a runners/walkers this morning and as we would pass I would smile and say "Morning!" After about the third person, Griffin must have caught on because every other passer by he would yell out "MOWNEE!" I wish I could see his little face has he shouted MORNING to them all.
Wouldn't it just make your day to see this cute face at 7 in the morning shouting MOWNEE to you?
And, on a selfish note:
I love those sweet little moments when my kids show they have some manners!!!
I have this great friend named Tara. For the last few months she has been telling me about the St. George Midnight 5K Run and I thought it sounded like so much fun. At first we thought the race was going to be the weekend of the Ogden Marathon, but it turned out it was two weeks later and I was excited! Tara, Martha, Hillary and me all registered for this fun event and here are some cute photos of us all decked out in our glow in the dark gear!
When we received our race bags we were provided with some lovely glow in the dark glasses. These beauties were NOT so beautiful upon the face, but they were kinda fun! We took our pics with them and tossed them back in the car...I would have had an unfortunate experience of vomit if I had to run with those bad boys on! They make me dizzy just looking at the photo!
The beginning of the race....I love this picture! It was a mad house trying to get started. Everyone wants to be in the lead and they will just step right on top of you to get there. Come on people THIS IS JUST A 5K! It was a rush though trying to make your way through everyone!
Martha, Tara, Hillary, Me
After we finished the race...Yippee!!!
After the race, we stuck around to hear the results and get our runner's cards. Afterwards we headed back to Tara's and realized it was getting pretty late and we were all ready for bed! Thanks girls for a fun night out. This is going to have to be an annual thing, I LOVED IT!
