Sand Hollow Marathon

If you looking for a spring marathon then look no further! Sand Hollow Marathon is THE ONE! I just registered for it and can I tell you how excited I am to have another scenic marathon in my BACK YARD?! This year is the inaugural race and I think it is going to be fabulous! Mark your calendars for March 26, 2011. You can register here.

Let me tell you...Southern Utah is gorgeous, especially in the spring! Just look at this landscape...

The race starts in the small town of Hurricane, Utah and has a challenging and scenic loop course. You can read the course description here. Growing up in southern Utah and driving through Hurricane many times to get to Zion National Park, I KNOW this course is absolutely breathtaking. I have heard it said that it "kicks" the St George marathon for scenery. As you run you will be able to see many of the landmarks of the region.. Pine Valley Mountain, Zion National Park and the infamous Molly's Nipple... Yep, that IS the name of the mountain!

 Come run the Sand Hollow Marathon... I know you won't be disappointed!

 

Three Things Thursday

1. I have the cutest kids around! My four year old loves "applecadoes" for breakfast, but doesn't like "barnacle" chips (BBQ chips).  She prefers broccoli to french fries and loves to change her clothes 42 times a day... My nine year old is the complete opposite.. He prefers toaster strudel for breakfast and gags on certain veggies, especially if they are in stir fry (because it is all mixed together)...grin. He loves anything that involves the water...Yep! We have a "dolphin" on our hands! I am so grateful to be their mom! It's amazing how much I can love two little people...

2. I am headed to the Surf City marathon! 10 more days! Let the count down begin! I'm so excited  for that surf board *bling!*

3.  Look what is coming in the mail! Megan at BuildASign contacted me several weeks ago and gave me the opportunity to create my own bumper stickers! This is what I came up with... If you would like one shoot me an email with your address and I will get one out to you!

My Top 10 Pre-Race Rituals

Pre-race rituals. Superstitions. What ever you want to call it. We all have them. Those specific things we do come race day. Some people eat or drink special things. Others have a certain warm up routine. And still others have a lucky charm of one kind or another. Whatever they are, they make us feel prepared. They make us feel safe.

I don't know about you, but I am a creature of habit. I have a number of things I have  like to do before a race. Maybe I am a little OCD, although my family would probably tell you I am a lot OCD. I have rituals. The following are my top 10 in no particular order.

**Sleep. I make sure I get a good night's sleep the two nights before the race. This really does make a huge difference! I also use GABA on those nights before the race. 

**I Paint my toe nails. This is a must! Lately I have been including my girlie in this ritual...What girl doesn't like pretty toe nails? 

**The day before the race I will eat a burger and fries. This is really the only time I eat fast food, and boy, does it taste good! 

**A few days before the race I start gathering all the gear that I will need.

**Make sure my Garmin and ipod are charged.

**Brazilian...this doesn't always happen, but I like when it does!

**The night before the race I lay out everything I will need... I pin on my bib #, put my timing chip on my shoe, and just make sure everything is good to go.

**I always eat the same pre race breakfast: Strawberry or vanilla yogurt, a banana and water.

**I drink NoXplode...it's my morning wake me up...It also helps clean out the "pipes."

**Vitamin B-12 drops! I take this before, during and after the race! I realized a little over a year ago that I have a B-12 deficiency and this has really helped in my racing! 

Well, there you have it, my pre-race rituals. What are your pre-race rituals?

I Was THAT Person.. A DUMB ASS!

I went out for my longish run this morning. It was 34 degrees, sunny, blue sky, perfect really. I should have gone with my gut and turned around and gone another route...but no, I decided to stay with my plan and run on the bike path. Big, big mistake!

I crashed a race! Yep, I was that person, A DUMB ASS....UGGH! The first 3.5 miles was fine, there were just stragglers...or so I thought.

At my mile 4, that's when it became STRESSFUL. I was going the wrong way on a one way street, so to speak, just trying to stay out of the way. So, I ended up walking on the dirt shoulder for a bit until I could get off the path and on to the road. I'm sure this is how dumb I looked...like a DUMB ASS (only I still had my shirt on!)

And if I was a car... I would've looked like this... DUMB ASS!

It was an experience, What a DUMB ASS! Thinking about it, I should have just turned around and ran the race, and cut off the course before the finish line. (I probably would have ended up with around the same mileage). Next time I chance to crash a race... Hopefully I won't EVER make another DUMB ASS move like this again, but don't hold your breath! Have you ever been a DUMB ASS???

Super Heroes

What is it about Super Heroes? As kids we were fascinated by them. We wanted to look like them, dress like them. We wanted to be just like them! I remember making/wearing bullet proof bracelets made out of foil and pretending to fly my invisible air plane. Remember that new pair of shoes you got..you know, the ones you just KNEW would make you "faster than a speeding bullet," and make you "leap tall buildings in a single bound." Those were the days weren't they?

I have been thinking a lot about Super Heroes. I watch my girlie play Super Girl in her Halloween costume and it warms my heart.  I asked my kids, "What makes a Super Hero super?" Both of them said, without hesitation, "They help/save people." A Super Hero is brave, strong, determined, athletic, has special powers, earns respect, and has a goal, among many other things...

Just like in DC Comics, there are Super Heroes in my life. They may not wear a cape or a mask. They may not have X-ray vision, or have an invisible plane, but nonetheless they have made a huge impact on me. Since this is a running blog I wanted to talk about a few of my Running Super Heroes.

First of all, I have to mention Dean K.... He is a given! He is everyone's Super Hero, is he not?

Another one of my running Super Heroes is George. He is a master runner! George has run well over a hundred marathons and seveal ultas. He is a plethora of information! He taught me about eating a hamburger and fries as a pre-race meal. He also taught me to be grateful for and thank race volunteers. Because truly with out them we wouldn't be able to race. But George is a Super Hero because he always takes time to make sure those who are struggling are ok. I have seen him many times stop and walk with someone who is looking rough..he always gives that encouraging word and is in fact a Super Hero on the race course!

Sharon. I met Sharon at the 2008 Ogden marathon. We crossed paths around mile 21. She was a god send. I was nauseated and not feeling well at all and she ran/walked with me until the end. She totally helped keep my mind occupied. That day she really came to my rescue. I love seeing her now at races and giving her a big hug. She will be running her 100th marathon this year. She is definitely a Super Hero!

There's Janice who runs Far and Strong. She has lost 15 pounds!  That is Super Hero in my book! There is Tall Mom Mel. She inspires so many! She has also had to deal with some pretty big obstacles over the past several months and she has proven her Super Hero status! And then there is Beth at SUAR...That woman has determination! I know if I had to run in a pool...it just wouldn't happen...ever! But she also has the best Super Hero costume!

But really all of you are my Super Heroes. The encouragement and support you give to your fellow bloggers...it is fabulous! I love our sport. Where else can you be friends with people from all walks of life? Where else can you rub shoulders with real life Super Heroes!

Running With An Angel

I have been out of the blogging world for a while... No excuses really... Sorry I have taken so long on this update but here it is.

I ran my 24th marathon last Saturday, Hoo Ha! "The Running From An Angel Marathon" in Boulder City, NV. It was put on by Calico Racing and was a relatively small race...Only 85 marathoners. There was also a 50 mile, a half marathon, a 10K, and a 5K run...475 participants overall! I really like these smaller races! Calico Racing did a great job. Organization was good, people were friendly and they had aid stations every 1.5 miles which was awesome!!

It was a scenic out and back course through the Lake Mead recreation area and running near the water is always a treat! Weather was good, temperature was good, just an all round good course.

As always during a race, I met a lot of nice people! I saw my running friend Sharon, who I see at nearly every Utah/Nevada race..she will be running her 100th marathon this year! It is always nice to see a familiar face!

The best part about Saturday was that my knee held up through the entire race! I woke up, took some ibuprofen AND put a Salonpas pain patch on it, I love the patch.... highly recommend them too! Then right before the race began I inhaled some Tylenol 800 mg, oh the life of a running fool! That all seemed to do the trick. I felt pretty good the entire race. Yay for pain meds!

The only thing I didn't like about "Running With An Angel" was the post race food...chili. We overheard someone say, "We just ran 26.2 miles and we get chili?!?" Maybe it was donated....? I had to pass on a bowl, not knowing how my stomach would react cause it was CHILI! Went with the fruit option instead. But overall it was a great race, Chili, Really, and I will definitely run another Calico race!

Thank you Little Caesars my Awesome Sponsor!!!

 Keep running!