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St.George Marathon

Hmm.. Eight years ago I ran my first marathon..the St. George Marathon. 

Looking back there are several things that stand out in my memory. I remember that nervous excitement the week leading up to the race. I didn't sleep very well that week in anticipation, I remember I did a lot of deep cleaning. I remember the anxiousness I felt riding the bus to the start line early in the morning, not knowing exactly what to expect in the next few hours. I remember being ecstatic just making it to the starting line. I remember all the energy at the start listening and talking with other runners as we tried to stay warm by the fire. And then it was time..the gun went off and I was running a marathon! My first marathon! I had dreamed about that goal for years and it was finally coming to fruition. At mile 7-ish, the metropolis of Veyo, was the first of several times that I got teary. The spectators were cheering and I couldn't believe I was there. It was a bit surreal for me, I guess. 

Then at about mile 18-ish, I got teary again..I had to keep reminding myself to breath..it isn't easy to run and cry at the same time. Once I got into town, it was really hard to hold back the tears. I was almost there. And when I saw the finish line and my family, that is when the tears really started. I had done it! Crossing that finish line was the most empowering feeling I had ever experienced. I had run a marathon! 26.2 miles! I KNEW at that moment I could do anything!

Next Saturday I will be running the St. George marathon again. (Marathon #22) I am so excited! Although I don't get nervous anymore, I do still get teary when I cross the finish line.. There just isn't anything quite like it.

Keep running!

Inspiring..

I know this video has been going around, but I finally watched it today... loved it. And yes, I totally cried! So I wanted to share.

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America's Nutrition

I am a supplement girl. I use creatine and I like drinking a protein shake after my workouts. I take a multi vitamin and fish oil every day. So when Zach over at  America's Nutrition contacted me a few weeks ago to promote their website I was very excited.

America's Nutrition is a great site for nutritional supplements. They have a wide range of products from  supplements to weight loss pills to protein powders. They also have bath and beauty products. They are located in Northwest Indiana, near Chicago.

Zach sent me some samples of protein powder: Dymatize Elite Whey Protein, and Musceltein Ultra-7 Protein. Some GABA (which I use the two nights before a race, helps me sleep). And some Glucosamine Chondroitin with MSM, which is helping my knee tremendously. Everything came quickly, and  I would definitely recommend America's Nutrition!

They also have a great new blog: The Fit Wits and you can check it out here. Thanks so much Zach!

2010 Patriots Run

I remember September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday. I woke up, turned on the news and just cried as I witnessed those tragic events. Even now when I see the footage from that day, I get teary.

This past weekend on Sept 11th, I was able to participate in the Patriots Run marathon in Olathe, Kansas. It was an amazing event that I am so glad I was able to be a part of. Before the start, which was at noon, someone announced that as the troops in Afghanistan were running their Patriots's Run, they were shot at. Wow! I can't even imagine! We are blessed with so many freedoms in this country.

There were many soldiers there to support and participate in this event, which was held at the Great Mall. The course was a 1 mile loop that went through the parking lot. It was awesome to be able to run with the soldiers, many in their fatigues and a 60 lb pack on their backs...made me teary every time I would see them.

I wasn't sure how I would like the loop, but it was actually fun because we were able to see and encourage each other all along the way. And this was the one and only time I will ever run next to Sam Felsenfeld in a race..(: By the way, he ran the marathon in 3:42 and then continued on with the ultra, running over 54 miles in 9:11 and won the ultra!

Kim and Doug, who were my hosts, were just awesome. Thanks again for letting me stay and hang with you guys. This was Kim's 31st marathon and Doug's 87th! You are both my marathoning heroes! 

I loved seeing the flags along the course..

This "Flag of Honor" has all the names of the victims of 9-11 printed on it..

It was raised for the entire race.

Kim and I before the race..

I met so many nice people at the Patriots Run this past weekend.. I like Kansas. 

I can't imagine a better way to spend 9-11-10 than running in a marathon honoring those who serve and protect our country! I am proud to be an American!

**Thank you Little Caesars for making this race possible!**

SCAPE Review

I have to be honest, I don't do sunscreen. I don't like the way it smells or the way it feels on my skin. I am also a sweater, and I don't like sunscreen in my eyes. So when the people from SCAPE contacted me to try their sunscreen, I was a bit skeptical...

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the bottle and smelled it. It doesn't have that 'sunscreen' smell. The lotion itself is not greasy, and rubs in nicely. It is noncomedogenic, so your skin can breathe. I love that. The face stick wasn't too thick or greasy either. All of their products can be applied to wet or sweaty skin, which is fantastic. I have used it on several long runs and have been very happy with the results!

Thanks SCAPE for letting me try your product and making me a believer!

*There were no animals or small children hurt in my testing of this product.

Missoula Marathon Race Report

Wow...am I behind. It has been nearly two weeks since the Missoula marathon and I am just now getting to the race report.

I had a fabulous weekend in Missoula. My hosts, Barbara, Jason, Gabe and Elsie were just awesome! They made everything so nice and relaxing and I felt pampered. Thanks again you guys for a great weekend! Can't wait for next year!

The expo was held outside at Caras Park in downtown Missoula. It was small, but sufficient and they gave us a technical shirt and a reusable Missoula Marathon bag. I love when you get more than just a plastic grocery bag...I also liked that they had several water coolers set up around the expo. The Farmer's market was going on at the same time and there was a lot of excitement and tons of people all around. Missoula knows how to host a race!

The busses were organized and we didn't have to wait very long to get to the start line in Frenchtown. On the bus I sat by Talitha. This was her first marathon and she did awesome! You can check out her blog here. It was fun to talk to her and feel of her excitement. Sam Felsenfeld was also there, he paced the 3:50 group. If you haven't heard about his "Operation Jack" check out his website here.

Once we got off the bus, I headed to the port a potties and waited..the lines were long and there could have been a few more..But I got to the start line with about 8 minutes to spare. The gun went off and we were on our way. What a beautiful course! We ran along the Clark Fork River and they aren't kidding when they call Montana "Big Sky Country." It was a flat course as well, which for me, was perfect since I am still having issue with my knee.. no, not my ITB any more.. something else is going on..I will talk about that another time. There was one hill at mile 13.5 and I had to walk up and down, I was feeling some weird twinges. But other than that, there were no major issues.

I loved this race..EVERYONE was friendly. I made several new "friends.."

and the Missoulians..is that how you say it? were fantastic. Many of them had their sprinklers on the road so we could run through them, which was a godsend because it was hot. There were a lot of spectators at different points along the course. It was great to have people cheering... just for me..(: Thanks again you guys!

I really enjoyed everything about this marathon. It was their 4th year doing it. The Run Wild Missoula running group has about 1000 members..no wonder it was well organized and the little things were well thought out! Post race food was great. You know it is good when they have cold watermelon at the finish line! They had yummy pasta salad, watermelon/pineapple/strawberry frozen fruit popsicles, bread, and other things. And Barbara had a burrito supreme waiting for me!

I  finished with a smile on my face and I will definitely run this race again!

Thank you to Little Caesars for making it possible! You guys are awesome!

I will be running the Deseret News Marathon on Saturday. It is Pioneer Day in Utah. It's gonna be a hot one!

Keep Running!