Running with Jenny

Two months ago I asked some of my friends if anyone wanted to do a half-marathon with me. I didn't think I would find anyone who would want to do the run, which is ok.  I enjoy running alone and just listening to my music. I was surprised when  my friend Jenny called me and said she had been thinking about doing this run with me for a few days. She has never ran a half marathon before, and she seemed a little unsure if she could do it.  As I've been doing my long runs with her, it's been neat for me to see her confidence being built and accomplish these long runs each week.  I really looked forward to our Saturday runs together, we talked about EVERYTHING!  It was fun to have a running partner for this race. When we saw the finish line Jenny's kids ran and crossed the finish with her. It gave me goosebumps! Crossing a finish line always feels awesome, but doing it for the first time is really neat. I crossed my first half marathon with my sister-in-law Stacie and I still remember how great that felt. I enjoyed watching Jenny accomplish this goal that she thought was so far out of her reach. We celebrated her accomplishment later that night at Outback Steakhouse. YUM! Eating after a race is always guilt free:)

This was also my first race of running with my vibram shoes. I really liked wearing them. I don't think I would do a trail run with these shoes, but they are great on pavement and on the tredmill. I haven't had any knee pain since I've started running on the balls of feet and not landing on my heels first, these shoes force you to run that way. I've had fun trying these out, I'm thinking that I will be wearing vibrams for a long time. 

26.2 on the beach

After my sisters reception in Santa Clarita we drove to Huntington Beach. I had a New Year's Eve marathon in the morning. We all got to bed around 11:00 pm that night. I started to feel a head cold coming on the night of my sisters reception. Rich ran to the store and got me vitamins and Airborn which I loaded up on. I woke up the next morning feeling great. I felt really lucky. This race is different then any other run I've ever done. Most runs I've done have at least a thousand people running it, huge crowds, lots of cars and a huge finish line. The man that organizes these races is an ultra-marathoner, he does 100 mile races. He only lets 50 people total in his marathons/half marathons. I really enjoyed running with a small group. We all cheered each other on and gave each other thumbs up when we passed one another. When I finished the Bear Lake marathon in 2008 my body felt broken when I was done, everything hurt and it took a long time to recover. I remember thinking after that race that I would never put my body through another marathon. I've been told that running a marathon for the 2nd time is always better. I am happy to say that is was! I felt great finishing this race, it was still hard and a challenge but I didn't feel like I was hit by a truck when I was done. I think training at a higher elevation and then running at sea level made a big difference and I cross-trained a lot more this time too. I absolutely loved running along the beach on the bike trail. There was a lot to distract me when I started to get tired, people playing volleyball, watching the surfers, people camping on the beach, families riding their bikes. There was so much to look at. Then of course my family was there cheering me on. Rich driving our car with all the kids, and my parents honking their horn along the way too. I would do this run again in a heartbeat! Here are a few pictures...

Rich snapped this picture of Blake while they were in the car following me. What a goof!

The man running next to me I recognized from the Bear Lake marathon. I sat by him on the bus ride up to the drop off point. I had a neat conversation with him on the bus, he was 63 when he ran Bear Lake. I remember thinking, gosh I hope I can stay active and in shape like he is when I'm older. He's done the Boston marathon and MANY others. This was his 80th marathon! It was neat to cross paths with him again. I asked him a lot of questions about how he's able to stay so strong and how he's able to keep on running in his late 60's, he gave me lots of advice. It was fun to run side by side with him for a few miles.

Samantha eating the sand.

Blake decided to strip down and take off his wet jeans.

Brooklyn chasing the waves.

Putting my feet in the cold water, it felt so good!!

The man with the blue shirt is Charlie Alewine, he's the director of the marathon. He's 61 years old and he's completed 202 races from marathon distance to 100 miles. Charlie set his new 100 mile PR of 25:34 at the Iron Horse 100 in Florida.

Bike trail

Views from the trail

Santa Fe

Last Saturday we went to Santa Fe for a 10K run I did with my friend Grethen. The run was hard!! Most of the run was up hill but the scenery and everything around me was really pretty. After the run we walked around town and ate at this little Mexican restaurant. I should have taken a picture of my burrito, it was REALLY good!! I loved this town, it was really cute and old fashioned. It was a fun day, usually Rich is at school on Saturdays so it was nice that he could break away from the books for a half of day.

Me and the kiddo's

This park was gorgeous!

The boys

This was taken at the beginning of the run, there was a guy from Kenya running the race. I let him win since he traveled so far to run it. I'm kidding. This guy was pretty impressive to watch for the 5 seconds I saw him, he was FAST! I like to hang out in the back with all the slower runners, then at the last mile of the race I book it and pass a few people so I'm not dead last.

This was a really pretty catholic cathedral that we went through...

Provo Canyon Half Marathon

Saturday morning Rich and I left our house at 4:00am to be at the Provo Canyon Half Marathon. It's hard for me to sleep the night before a run because I worry about sleeping in, or missing the bus, or having a bad run day! I think I probably slept 3 hours that night! Despite the lack of sleep, I really enjoyed this race. It's probably my favorite run I've done. Most of the course was downhill, the weather was perfect too! My mom was in town visiting all week, so she was able to stay home with my kids during the run! That helped out a lot! After the race Rich and I hurried home, because me and my mom wanted to surprise my niece Emma at her birthday party. My niece lives in Idaho and my sister was having a birthday party at a waterpark in Pocatello at noon. So, I hurried and showered then we all got in the car and drove to Idaho. (My mom drove, I was exhausted!) My kids have been to this waterpark before, it's a really fun place. My niece and my sisters were surprised to see us. It was a long day! But a fun one! When we got home on Saturday night from Idaho, I slept like a baby!

Weston likes to pretend he's an alligator when he swims.

My sister Caroline and Blake.

Brooklyn having a good time!

Floating down the lazy river... I could have floated on that tube all day, it was relaxing!

Blake munching on a cookie...

Bear Lake Trip...

Last weekend we were up at Bear Lake for a marathon I ran. My family from California came up as well and my sisters and their families from Idaho. We had a great time! It turned into a little vacation. We stayed at the Garden City KOA, which I love!! We stayed there last summer with some friends, and it's the perfect place for kids.

Finishing the marathon was the BEST feeling ever!! I never thought in a million years I would ever do one. I've been running for a few years, and have really become addicted to it. It's nice to have found a hobby that I really enjoy and love doing. Running is a great stress reliever for me, and it just feels good! Training for this race was fun and hard at the same time, and very time consuming! I am looking forward to have a break from all the training. Rich has been so supportive of me doing this, he's been so helpful with watching the kids during my long Saturday runs. Sometimes, I felt selfish taking so much time doing something just for me, but he always made me feel like I deserved it. He's a great husband.

On the bus ride up to the start line of the race, I met a older man probably in his seventies. He had told me that he had a ran a marathon the day before this one. I couldn't believe it! Where does he get the energy? That absolutely amazes me!! This man seemed so happy and full of life, I really admire him. I hope I can have his good attitude and good health when I get old.

Rich and my family were able to follow me around in the car during parts of the race. One part of the race Weston came out running to me to give me a hug. It was pretty sweet. Brooklyn would yell out the window "Your a good runner mommy!". Crossing the finishing line and seeing my whole family there cheering me on was a great moment and very emotional! Knowing that they were all there just for me what a neat feeling. I have a great family!

Below are a couple of slide shows from our trip.... My brother in law Nate took some these pictures, he always takes good pictures. You can really see the pain and anguish in my face during parts of the run!

Bear Lake Marathon

Salt Lake Half Marathon

Here we are at the race today. It was a lot of fun. Last year I ran this race and I had just found out I was pregnant with Blake, so I didn't feel too great. So I was happy to have felt good today and not be pregnant.

At the beginning of the race they had a gospel choir singing and dancing, it got everyone motivated! And as always, they hand out tons of free food at the end of the race. Not that I feel like eating, I usually feel like throwing up, but my kids always enjoy the food! I'm glad it's done, now I'm going to keep on training for the Bear Lake marathon in June. Hopefully with all this running, I can get the last 10 pounds of baby weight off!

Spanish Fork 10K Race

Rich and I ran this race on Pioneer Day with the kids. We had a good time. The kids loved it, they just ate licorice the whole way. They had it pretty easy! For those of you that done know, I am 4 months pregnant now. We are due January 7th!

An April run for Olivia

This is the benefit run for Olivia Roper who lost her mom when their house exploded in Saratoga Springs.Brooklyn looks a little nervous! Weston is happy as long as he has his juice!

Brooklyn's first kid's race!
I think she had a good time! It was cute to see her finish.

Salt Lake Half marathon

Julie and I at the finish line!

Joy, Julie and I having a good time. There were live bands performing on the streets. There were 10,000 registered in all the races. It was exciting to see so many people there.

Julie and I early in the morning getting ready for the run!

Weston was ready to go home! Rich looked more exsausted juggling the kids for two hours while I ran.