Race #13: December - US Road Running Reindeer Racer 10K

The last race of the year. 

Because of stress and injury, I ended up gaining 45 pounds over the past year.  I stress eat.  I thought that all the racing and training would have stopped that.  It didn't. The stress I've been dealing with made it difficult to train properly.  Motivation is hard when you're just not feeling it.  So, when December came around and I had one more race to do, I was less than excited. 

Who is going to be pumped up and rearing to go when they have extra weight to carry through each mile, less energy, and diminished endurance?  No one.  But I wanted to run one race per month this year.  Not just 12 races.  I decided that it was important for me to suck in my gut and just do it. 

December is crazy busy and I needed the flexibility to run whenever it was convenient for me so, I registered for another virtual race.    The race I chose was the US Road Running Reindeer Racer 10K.  At the beginning of the month, I figured that signing up for a 10K would get me running again.  I was wrong. I haven't run since the last virtual race I did. 

It's the end of the month.  End of the year.  And it's time to accomplish my goal.  So, I went over to the Orem Recreation Center, hopped on a treadmill, and started walking.  Because of the lack of training, I was definitely taking full advantage of the run/walk options with this race.  I warmed up better than I ever have before and then turned up the speed.

The first mile and a half felt like I was teaching my body what running is.  The next mile and a half were really pretty rough.  I was tired and worrying about how my feet were going to handle this.  (My injury was neuroma's in each of my feet.) It was around mile 3 that I slowed down to a walk again.  I needed to catch my breath and give myself a little pep-talk.  A really good song came on and I sped up again. 

This time, I was running a bit faster and did it for longer.  It helped to have a handful of great songs right after another. I managed to keep this faster pace up for another mile and three quarters.  Now, I'm pretty done.  But I still have 1.7 miles to go.  So, I brought the speed back down to a slow jog.  It was when I slowed down that I could feel them.  The evil heated bubbles on the bottom of my feet.  URGH.  Blisters are the worst.  I pushed through the blisters as long as I could.  And then power walked the rest of the way.

I thought I would be completely exhausted when I finished the 6.4 miles.  But I wasn't.  I felt really happy, proud, and satisfied that I accomplished what I set out 12 months ago to do.  It was a great feeling.

My after shot of my race. (Sorry it's all fuzzy.)

This year has been a really good year of running.  I'm glad I decided to do it.

Race #12: November - U.S. Road Running Day of the Dead 5K

Since my foot wasn't getting better, at the end of October I went in to the physical therapist.  He spent a couple of weeks having me really take care of my foot, he really dug at it with this cool little tool that looks kind of like a thick hook, and he shocked it.   All these things really helped my foot to feel better.

I was supposed to finish running this 5K by the end of the first week in November, but between my injury and everyone in my family being sick, I just didn't get it done until later.  When I finally did run it, my body was ready.  I love the way I feel when I run.  It's like life being improved with every step.  Wonderful.

I ran it in 38 minutes.

Here is the awesome medal.  So, far it's one of my favorites.

Race #11: October - U.S. Road Running Halloween 5K

October came around and I didn't really have another race scheduled.  So, to save a bit of money, I registered for a virtual race on U.S. Road Running.  The medals look really cool and I could run my race anytime I wanted.  For these races, I can finish them by running or walking inside, outside, or on a treadmill.

This was a life saver since my right foot was really starting to act up.  Running was beginning to be really painful.  But I wanted to finish my one race a month goal.  And I'm going to do it.

I ran this race on the treadmill at the Orem Recreation Center.  I ran it at a slower pace than I have been running, but it was better for my foot.  I finished in 40 minutes.

Here is the cool medal.

Race #10: September - Addict II Athlete 10K

Addict II Athlete 10K.   Addict II Athlete's mission is to "establish and maintain sobriety by promoting lifestyle changes through erasing addiction and replacing it with something of greater value." They are a support group for anyone who has been affected by addiction.  We have a lot of substance abuse problems in Utah and I think what they are doing is wonderful for those fighting their own addiction and for their families.



I have a cousin that I lost to a drug overdose.  This race is for him.  I run it not for speed, and not for the exercise, but for the memory.  I get 1 whole hour to remember the things we did together, the laughs we had, and the love we shared.

This year, my Hubby ran with me.  It's always great to have the support during an emotional run.

This morning was freezing.  Here we are shaking at the start line.

Every year, before the race, we let go of white balloons in remembrance of those we have lost.

There is an auction every year to help raise money for the organization to be able to function throughout the year.  It helps out a lot.

I love this race and I can't wait until next year.

Race #9: August - Rivalry Relay

I was so excited for the Rivalry Relay.  This was my second year running it and I got to do it with some great girls.  The Rivalry Relay starts up at Rice-Eccles Stadium and runs down to Provo.  The scenery is beautiful, but still hot at the end of August.  I ran leg 3 for the team.

That morning I got up, had some of the girls meet at my house and then we headed out to pick up the rest on our way up to the start line.  We met the second three girls up in Salt Lake.  I think it was off 123000 South.  We all got into my car and realized that one of the girls had forgotten her shoes.  It was a really good thing that she lived close.  We all headed to her house, got her shoes, and drove back towards the freeway.  We were almost to the on-ramp when someone in the back seat yelled, "They're towing our cars!!"  At first I was thinking, "No, they're not.  We're in it."  But then my sleepy brain caught up to what she was saying and I made the turn into the parking lot.  We got there just in time.  Now we needed to find a new place to park the cars.  So, we headed to 114000 South to the Wal-Mart there.  Good thing Wal-Mart lets people park overnight.  Saved our bacon. 

Finally, we were off to our race.  We made it on time.  Got through the safety lesson and check-in.  And were feeling good about our day ahead.

The Start:

Our team up early and excited.

And we're off.  Headlamps and reflector vests, very important.

My first leg was beautiful.  I did need to change my shorts shortly after heading out because they were falling off as I ran (don't wear anything too big while running), but it was remedied quickly and I got to enjoy the run.  The sun was just coming up.  The world was waking and I was feeling great.  I ran quickly and comfortably.  It got me psyched for Suncrest.

My second leg was up Suncrest.  This stretch is 3.3 miles UP HILL.  And basically it's straight up.  I thought that I had trained well for it, but by the end of mile 1, I was definitely questioning my training.  I ended up power walking most of the way.  I hit this leg in the middle of the day in the middle of 90 degree heat.  So hot.  So hard.  Kicked my Ass!  But I finished it.  I finished in 54 minutes and 58 seconds.  I made it before the cut off and I'm glad that I did it.

Each person who runs the Suncrest leg gets a medal at the top. 

My last leg I was done.  I walked so much of it.  I'm not sure if I didn't eat enough, or if I was really dehydrated, or just dead tired, but my body just refused to work the way I wanted it to.  Apparently I had trained for one maybe two runs in a day, but not three.  The over training in my year of races hit me hard in this leg.  I have since learned and will not do that again.

This is our team running to the finish line together. 

We did it.  Finished a whole day soaking in the sun while doing something we love.  Our team came in 43rd.  We finished in 11 hours 19 minutes and 38 seconds.  So proud of us.

My medals proudly hung in my car for the rest of the evening.  

A closer look at the Rivalry Relay medal for this year.  I love this race.  It beats me down and builds me up at the same time.  Everyone needs to know they can do hard things, but still be reminded that there are legs that kill no matter how hard we train.  I'm going to continue to do this race every year I can get a team together. 

Race #8: August - TriathaMOM

I was not confident about this next race.  I hadn't trained like I wanted to or felt I needed to.  It's month 8 of the year and I'm feeling a bit tired of training.  Especially for a race that I'm not really excited to participate in.  I almost didn't go.  The morning of the race, I rolled over, snuggled up to my hubby, and said, "I could just stay here and sleep all morning."  He promised me I would be glad that I went to the race.  So, I got out of bed and headed to Riverton.

The TriathaMOM transition area opened at 5:30am and I had never participated in a triathlon before, so I was there by 5:30am.  SO early.  But I had time to set all my stuff up, eat a banana, and visit the honey bucket multiple times. 

The wonderful woman and friend to convinced me to register after we both got our stuff set up.

Getting ready for the swim.

This is everyone gathered before the swim to receive last minute instructions from the organizers.  There were a more women here to race than I thought there would be.

Just before I got into the pool.

Running to my first exchange.

My first exchange was a long one.  I took a long time to dry off.  I took a long time to get my tank top, my shoes, and everything else on.  Next time I do a tri, I will spend less time in this transition.

There I go.  Off on the bike ride.  I used a mountain bike because that was what I had and it worked out just fine.  I would, however, recommend riding your bike before the day of the race.  I spent all my training time in the gym and none out on the road with my bike.  So, one mile in, I realized that my seat was a bit too low.  I dealt with it and finished just fine.

 Transition #2!  This time I was ready.  I only spent seconds in the transition area this time.

 Heading out for the run.  And I'm still smiling.  It truly amazing what seeing your cheerleaders will do for you when racing.

I made it!  I got to the magical flying balloons and I really am glad that I got up that morning and came to the race.

This is a family friendly race.  So, there were bounce houses,

and face painting for the kids.

We did it.  We made it to the end.  Our tired selves after accomplishing this fun triathaMOM.

My kids made a sign for me and wanted to pose on the little podium. This was a great race.  If you want to get into triathalons and are a little nervous.  This one is a great way to do that.  There is absolutely no pressure and everyone is cheering everyone else on.  I would definitely do this one again. 

Oh, and the "medal" was a necklace.