Not the race I visualized for myself. In fact, in all honesty, it was extremely disappointing. I came away with a PR of 3:27, so that is a token to take away with me. I always feel like the end of races are my strong point. I can turn it on and zoom past everyone. Not so, yesterday. Here is a breakdown of the weekend.
I was still smiling in my hotel room, because I hadn't gone to bed yet. The moment I laid down, it suddenly became apparent our hotel was within yards of a railroad. So all night I listened to trains, blare their whistles and idle. Why do they blow their whistles anyway?
Out to eat at "Roosters" the night before. Callista looks so happy...but she actually had one of her most difficult days in memory. On days like Friday, I think she was sent to teach me patience.
We went for a little family bike ride Friday night. We rode the 3 miles of the river trail. Miles 22-25. It was a beautiful trail. It didn't feel beautiful while I was running.
The family waiting at the 1/2 way mark, Eden Park. Callista stayed entertained pushing Emmett and Ellery in the stroller.
I was perfectly on track for a 3:18 at the 1/2. I had an awesome cheering crowd. My little family as well as my parents.
I felt like I hadn't even exerted myself yet.
Mile 14 brought the only hill. A piece of cake. I blasted up and still felt awesome. At mile 16 I felt something strange happening to my feet. It was like I was running on rocks. Within 3 miles the pain was almost unbearable. I went from running 7:35's to 7:50's until mile 24. Thankfully at mile 23 Brent was there. He jogged with me for a moment...I said "You better not leave. I might stop." So in his street clothes he ran the last 3 miles with me.
By mile 24 my body was really shutting down. No matter how hard I pumped my arms I couldn't move faster than 9 minute miles, those last 2. It was extremely frustrating.
The last mile the finish line was in sight the whole time. It was brutal. It felt like hours. I tried to get the crowd cheering to help me along.
Apparently my sister and her whole family and my parent and children were screaming my name, cheering me on...I have no recollection.
I crossed the finish line and collapsed into the arms of the race officials and Brent. I couldn't put any weight on my feet. I began to get chilled. They took me to the medic tent. My temp was down to 95 degrees. It took about 30 minutes to finally get my temp back up to normal. I think my body must have been in shock. The same thing happens everytime after I have a baby. My temperature plummets. I start to shake. Finally I warmed up and they released me.
In the picture below, the nurses knew I was feeling better, because I was going over all my splits on my Garmin and griping about my final 6 miles. It was the proverbial 6 miles at the end. I know what that is now.
I keep second guessing my race. Should I have gone out faster? Were my shoes too old? I don't think I will run this race again. I will do Boston next year. For pleasure only. My next race for time will be St. George. But probably not until after I have another baby.
Ellery did great in the Kids Mile Run. The announcer heard us calling her name at the finish and gave her a personal cheer and accolades over the loud speaker. It was really fun and special for her.
Here we are with our "gold medals" as the girls would say.
She was so proud of herself. It was really cute.
Callista opted out. A little young still. I am so grateful to all my family for the wonderful support. I truly couldn't have done it without them.
My Mom and Dad...
My sister and her family...
My amazing husband and children... Emmett even snuggled with me for 10 minutes at the end. That in itself made it worth it!
And finally all the support of family and friends who were thinking and praying for me yesterday. Thanks! Marathons are their own beast. They bring out something in us few other experiences can. We learn things about us. My last time it was all about conquering my physical limitations. Mind over body. This time it is realizing, I do not always have control over my body. As hard as I willed it to go...my body wouldn't move faster. Both of these lessons are ones to draw upon in times of struggle. I am also thankful to my Heavenly Father. My prayers supplicated him during those difficult times as well.
After 4 years of long hair I was ready for a change. So while Brent was gone for the week mountain biking with the 14-18 year olds in our church, I went crazy. Here is the updated color and shorter locks. 
(I did tell Brent I was up for a change...we'll see what he thinks on Saturday!)
If you will remember back in January, our microwave went kaput. I decided to experiment for a week without it. My disillusionment began several years ago as I learned about the dangers of plastic in microwaves. I pitched every plastic food storage container I had and converted to glass pyrex. I was also disturbed my food was being altered on the molecular level. Doesn't just the name "microwave" creep you out a little if you really think about it?
A nice decorative shelf. More storage is always a plus. Less radiation in the home is the biggest plus.
Saturday proved to be chock-full of adventures. It began bright and early with my first ever Sprint Distance Triathlon. I have a tendency to take on the huge challenges and ignore the little ones...so I have only done Olympic Distance triathlons in the past. I LOVED this event! 
On Memorial day, my neighbors and I went down to Utah Lake for an early morning swim. It was perfect. I loved my wetsuit, practiced sighting (something I never did as a swimmer in high school) and just felt great all over. I went into this swim ready to master the panic.
Get Control.
Lots of room for improvement. My transitions were horrible! My wetsuit got stuck. I was just plain slow. But despite all this I ended up third in my age group and 16th overall. And actually my splits were faster or within 30 seconds of the first 2 girls, I just had slow, slow transitions. My official time was 1:22.08. I finished within 8 minutes of the first place Elite. And I had over 4 more minutes in transition time than her. 
I feel confident I can shave a minute or 2 off my swim, bike and run. This was so fun I ended up signing up for another one in 3 weeks! We raced home to prepare for sixteen 4-8 year olds who would be converging on our house in hours for Ellery's birthday party. You can read about that soon!
I am still working on a great brownie recipe. I thought I would experiment since Ellery wanted a chocolate cake. I actually made a brownie recipe. It was good...but not that delicious gooey good I am looking for.
Sunday, Callista and Emmett were out cold by 6 pm so Ellery and Brent and I did cake and candles the three of us.
Two...Attempting to eat one extremely large bowl of birthday cereal. She made it through two bites and then opted out.
Three...A five mile run with mom. A special treat since this rarely happens anymore with my long runs and early morning training...and oh yes, three children. We looked at wild flowers and Ellery was tickled watching the mud wrens we saw under a bridge. Goo man came along for the ride since he was awake at the crack of dawn too.
Four...A date with Dad. The event started with a trip to a "Special Park." A new park six miles away with humongous swings, ponds and climbing walls.
The date ended with a trip to Einsteins. To fill one hungry belly.
Five...A family trip to the pool. On this windy, cool day Ellery was determined to make our inaugural visit to the Scera Pool. A bit shivery but a blast. I even snuck in an 900 m swim. I figured I better get at least one in before my triathlon this Saturday.
Six...A family bike ride up the canyon on her birthday bike. Feeling very mature and brave as a six year old, Ellery insisted on taking the "mountain bike" off shoots. She was doing great until one yell from Brent. "SNAKE! Stop Ellery!" This led to at least six minutes of complete panic. Of course the snake was a stick.
We made it to Canyon View Park to see the Dam and play in the park.
We've reached six fabulous adventures...no cake and candles? The picture below explains it all...
At 6pm (how fitting) she was knocked out on the couch. After that day, that's where I felt I wanted to be too. The final hurrah for the day came when we heard Pip burst into sobs in the backyard after El had been asleep for hours...
Oops. One mistake. Off with the six birthday balloons. And away goes one little five year old girl. Now six. Ready to conquer one more year.
It isn't so cute when he is throwing an hysterical tantrum when he is not allowed to drive Daddy's truck to the store.
This little guy has been trouble from the start!
Hopefully the raccoons and squirrels won't eat them up, so she can come in bright an early to pink streamers galore!
Not the race I visualized for myself. In fact, in all honesty, it was extremely disappointing. I came away with a PR of 3:27, so that is a token to take away with me. I always feel like the end of races are my strong point. I can turn it on and zoom past everyone. Not so, yesterday. Here is a breakdown of the weekend.
Out to eat at "Roosters" the night before. Callista looks so happy...but she actually had one of her most difficult days in memory. On days like Friday, I think she was sent to teach me patience.
The family waiting at the 1/2 way mark, Eden Park. Callista stayed entertained pushing Emmett and Ellery in the stroller.
I was perfectly on track for a 3:18 at the 1/2. I had an awesome cheering crowd. My little family as well as my parents.
I felt like I hadn't even exerted myself yet.
Mile 14 brought the only hill. A piece of cake. I blasted up and still felt awesome. At mile 16 I felt something strange happening to my feet. It was like I was running on rocks. Within 3 miles the pain was almost unbearable. I went from running 7:35's to 7:50's until mile 24. Thankfully at mile 23 Brent was there. He jogged with me for a moment...I said "You better not leave. I might stop." So in his street clothes he ran the last 3 miles with me.
By mile 24 my body was really shutting down. No matter how hard I pumped my arms I couldn't move faster than 9 minute miles, those last 2. It was extremely frustrating.
The last mile the finish line was in sight the whole time. It was brutal. It felt like hours. I tried to get the crowd cheering to help me along.
Apparently my sister and her whole family and my parent and children were screaming my name, cheering me on...I have no recollection.
I crossed the finish line and collapsed into the arms of the race officials and Brent. I couldn't put any weight on my feet. I began to get chilled. They took me to the medic tent. My temp was down to 95 degrees. It took about 30 minutes to finally get my temp back up to normal. I think my body must have been in shock. The same thing happens everytime after I have a baby. My temperature plummets. I start to shake. Finally I warmed up and they released me.
I keep second guessing my race. Should I have gone out faster? Were my shoes too old? I don't think I will run this race again. I will do Boston next year. For pleasure only. My next race for time will be St. George. But probably not until after I have another baby.
Here we are with our "gold medals" as the girls would say.
She was so proud of herself. It was really cute.
My sister and her family...
My amazing husband and children... Emmett even snuggled with me for 10 minutes at the end. That in itself made it worth it!
And finally all the support of family and friends who were thinking and praying for me yesterday. Thanks! Marathons are their own beast. They bring out something in us few other experiences can. We learn things about us. My last time it was all about conquering my physical limitations. Mind over body. This time it is realizing, I do not always have control over my body. As hard as I willed it to go...my body wouldn't move faster. Both of these lessons are ones to draw upon in times of struggle. I am also thankful to my Heavenly Father. My prayers supplicated him during those difficult times as well.
