Deseret New Classic Half Marathon 07.24.15

Happy Pioneer Day, folks!  And you know what that means!  The Deseret News Classic Half Marathon!  I decided to run it again this year!  And I'm so glad I did!

We all started with a really, really, really early wake-up call!  Shuttles left from Rice Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah between 4:15 and 4:45 AM.  We then got shuttled up to Emigration Canyon where we waited until the half marathon start at 6AM.  It was dark and chilly this year, compared to the very warm start last year.  Buses moved along more smoothly than last too!

I ran into one of my favorite running gal pals, Brook!  She's one of my absolute favorites from my Run Aways family.  I totally love her because she saved me from quitting my triathlon career, after a really horrible race I had last year.  She's also a triathlete, and a pretty kick butt soccer player!  She's amazing!  And she always makes my day when I run into her on the race course, whether running or volunteering!  Today she was pacing the 2:30 runners, and she wanted me to run with her.  I totally would have tried to, if my tummy wasn't acting up today.  Not a good way to start, but I'm glad I started off with great friends!

As the gun went off, I decided to take my time.  Last year I started way too quickly, and fried my legs before I hit mile 9.  Today, I stayed at a nice easy pace on the descent.  It was nice to see my favorite apartment buildings at the mouth of the canyon, which I usually see on my bike rides, indicating I'm almost back to my car.  Last year, around the 7 mile mark, my legs started to ache already.  But not this time!  I was feeling pretty good!  I was pacing a few groups along the way... that kept me going at a consistent pace throughout.

I noticed, when I approached the 9 mile mark, that the brutal hills weren't so brutal this time.  Trail running, strength training, yoga, pilates, and my Orange Theory Fitness classes have really helped make me a stronger athlete, altogether.

At mile 10, I looked at my watch and realized that I was making some good time!

I finally reached 200 E, where we turned to head south onto the Pioneer Day parade route.  Lots of people lined the streets, awaiting the parade, and cheering us on as we ran.  It actually felt good!

We turned left onto 900 S and headed toward 700 E.  I could see the finish line... and a Charlie Horse was looming in my right calf.  I took my time.  There was a lady, Andrea, whom I had been playing leap frog with along the way.  We decided to stick together for the last stretch.  I ran into Brother Sosa around 500 E (right near Liberty Park).


When I got to 600 E, I sprinted in to the finish line!  I was so excited to be in one piece, and feeling good (one of my goals in a Mental Prep class I had taken at Wasatch Running last year).

And the coolest part?  I set a new PR for myself!  I beat my time from last year by 8 minutes!  That's pretty huge!  I came in at 2:42.  I haven't really been able to really break 2:50 for awhile...

I thought that maybe I could make it in within the 2:30s, but my tummy and my calf weren't having it today.  That's okay... I'll take 2:42.  I couldn't be more happy with my time!

with Andrea, my new race running friend

The Inaugural Bugout Run 07.18.15

A couple of friends from my running group, Jorge and Joshua, are starting up a new running series called The Bugout Run Series.  It combines running/hiking with emergency preparedness.  Has emergency preparedness seemed boring and low on your priority list?  This will get you really excited about it!  After you register, they don't send you all the details right away... they send you the details of the "undisclosed location" and a scenario (to prepare your bugout bag) 48-72 hours prior to the scheduled event.

They then invite professionals to teach you survival skills after check-in and bag assessment.  Pay attention, as you may need to use these skills later during the run!

This run took place on the trails of Bountiful, up by the "B."

We met with the owners of MinuteManRX and PrepperCon who assessed our bags and taught us an important skill of stopping bleeding.  We then took our 72 hour kits, bugout bags, whatever you want to call them, and headed 1.5 miles up the trail.  We then had a surprise element of physical activity where were to complete 30/30/30 of jump out to planks, V jumps, and mountain climbers, followed by 10 tire burpees.  This was to simulate"an attack by an assailant.       

I was the first "victim."  Oh... and did I mentioned these exercises were timed?  Yeah... I was huffin' and puffin'!  Mind you, this was all done after that 1.5 hike up the hill with at least 25 lbs on my back!


After we completed those exercises, our heart rate was pretty high and we were all physically taxed...

Got shot in the arm (orange sticker)

and then sent over to a station where we were put in a mock "shooting."  With this shot wound in our arm, we had 2-3 minutes to stop the bleeding and save ourselves.  We had to determine if there was anything in our 72 hour kits that would stop the bleeding.  They made us think after we were physically taxed, which was a little hard since your heart is beating so fast.  This is exactly what they were trying to teach us... being prepared in an emergency situation, when adrenaline and heart rate is usually through the roof.

We all passed the test!  And we learned how to use regular items as tourniquets... just in case!

After that scenario, we all hiked 1.5 more miles up the mountain before turning around and coming back.  I must say that the view was gorgeous... and worth the effort!

I totally loved it!  What an excellent idea!  I can't wait for the next one on August 8th!  Don't forget to sign up... it's free!

 Be there or be ... UNPREPARED!

The Bubble Run SLC 07.11.15

Bubbles, Bubbles everywhere!  Well... I was supposed to run the Echo Sprint Triathlon today, but due to all the craziness going on with our 4Runner (the tri vehicle), I wasn't able to participate at Echo.  So, Jessica invited me to run the Bubble Run at the Utah Fairgrounds in Salt Lake. 

The Bubble Run was much like the Color Run, but with bubbles! Lots and lots of bubbles!

I loved the environment and excitement everyone was feeling as they participated in the event.  It was open for all levels!

Because who doesn't love bubbles, right?  Each station blew bubbles that you'd run through!

We did reach a bottleneck along the course, which allowed my friends, Chrissy and Kevin, to pick me out of a huge crowd.  What's funny is... we never plan out events, but they always happen to find me randomly!  And... they had relocated to Nevada recently, so I wasn't expecting them here!

John and Jessica were the friends who invited me to the run...

I ran into Brother Sosa, and Brother Lee from my ward, but didn't get a picture with them.  I did have a lot of fun running through the bubbles and running with and into friends!  I'd totally do that again!