Yukon Do It Marathon 2010

 I am was not supposed to run but today I had a friend who needed some support at mile 20 because of cramping. I know what that feels like and I know the emotional strain 26.2 for the first time can do to a person let alone a 17 year old girl.
It was my friends very first marathon and she is an amazing runner at one point at about mile 16 she was 2nd female out. Cramping caused her to slow way down.
I got out of the car gave her the magic (electrolytes, etc) and ran the rest of the marathon with her.  It was an amazing experience for me. To watch someone so strong break down then get back up again just because someone was willing to talk them through it. This happened to me at Capital City Marathon 2010. I will never forget that man who pushed me through the finish line to qualify for Boston.
I love running because of the people we get to know even if it just for a race.
Today was life changing day for me.

My awesome daughter Haley on the right, ran her second half marathon at Yukon today and came in 1st place in her age division.  Haley is an incredible runner, daughter and person.  I am so blessed to have her in my life.  Haley came in so fast at the end we missed her big finish!!!  We call her "Haley the Comet"

Happy New Year Friends!

Christmas Rush 10k, Kent WA

6.2 mi

Janna, Tammy and Heidi

49 minutes

7:57 pace

I had a good race. I left it all out there. Of course I can improve but after my emotional week I think I did pretty darn good. 10k's are so much different than marathons especially after just running one 2 weeks ago and a 10k day before that. I love my running lady friends they inspire me. I feel so blessed to have such a great group of friends in my life. I feel very lucky to know them and be able to train with them. I hope someday I can give that back to them.

I met a man during my race that told me he had just stopped smoking 6 months ago and was running his first 10k!  Absolutely incredible!  Amazing guy. 

I love to hear stories about how people have changed their lives by running. 



Running in the Morning and .......... TEENAGERS

OK, I am not saying every teenager loves to get up in the morning and is cheery!  Like me :) But if you need to get up "JUST DO IT".  So unnamed teenage son did not want to get up this morning and get ready.  So arguing with him definitely takes up time so then I was late for running. 

I am so lucky to have a partner that I can text at 5am and say meeting at the church today instead "due too teenager attitude".  My buddy met me at the church and we did the short loop instead of the usual 4-6miles.  We were slow today but very glad about that.  I have had the flu and she has not been feeling well. 

I did finally wake unnamed teenage boy up after my run.  It was awesome DOG Alarm!  I let both pups come and jump, lick and bark on his bed.  It was the BOMB!  I do have a few more alarms if anyone needs ideas.

Picture of DOG ALARM!
 Little one is a puppy he is extra special in the morning.
Perfect for bugging the heck out of anyone at 5:30 am.

So Moms and Dads yay for you if you got a run into today because some days it is a little harder to get it done.

3.46 miles 10min Pace = Happy Mom that did not yell at teenager when she got home :)

Family Photo Shoot - FLEET FEET RACING SHIRTS

My family has all ran for FLEET FEET in at least one or more races. I thought it would be fun to do some of our family photos in our racing gear!

New FLEET FEET RACING shirt for winter!

Yellow ones are awesome but I was cold so I was lucky to have this one made for winter races.  I am really thinking I need pink!



Portland Marathon 2011

Portland was a great Marathon the fans, accommodations everything was just wonderful. My roommate Rhonda topped the cake and we had a great time enjoying everything in Portland. We met up with our Fleet Feet Racing Group the night before the race.

Why I was late to dinner!

We got to meet Jeff Galloway and he is such a neat person.

Before the race happy and ready to go..... not so fast. I got to start line realized that I forgot my garmin. Tried to go back up the elevator and it was packed. I then tried the stairs locked! I strongly suggested :) for the front desk gal that they needed to open up the doors for the stairs. It was done immediately and I sprinted up the stairs to get my garmin and sprinted to start line. I was a little out of breath starting the marathon. So yes I look happy but about 5 min after I was a wreck!

 Started off with some serious rain and then what felt like a monsoon with how hard the wind was blowing on us.  I did feel pretty good for running in the rain.  The fans were so awesome the whole race.  Even Tall MOM Mel was there to cheer her peeps on.  I had two pits stops and horrible cramping at the end of the race.  I could not even enjoy the end of the race because each time I stopped I cramped.  I did not prepare well the week before nutritionally and it really impacted my race. 

I had to walk up the stairs to go back to my room because if I stopped I would cramp up. I asked some random dude to take my picture before I collapsed in my room. Jacuzzi helped and I felt better after sitting in for about an hour.

I loved running this Marathon regardless of my struggles.  I still ran it under 4 hours at 3:55 which is not too bad for my 3rd marathon.  I loved being with all the runners and the high of being able to run 26.2 miles - which has amazed me everytime I have done it.  Just an awesome feeling to make your body run that far and not die.  LOL

Some Things I Have Learned Since Running My #2 Marathon

1. I could run Portland Marathon too
2. I could run an Ultra marathon after that
3. I decided to run Yukon Do It on Dec. 31, 2010 – so that makes #5 
4. I am officially a Maniac and a running freak
5. My family is slightly concerned but that is okay, If can run that means I will have the energy to do the laundry, be cheerful, cook and clean for them.
6. I need to eat properly
7. Core training makes all the difference
8. Runners are very happy positive people
9. I need a job so I can support my racing habit
10. Running is a good way to set the example of self discipline for your kids

Last Thursday's Run with Tall MOM - Mel

This picture is deceiving because I really wanted to cry for my Mommy!

Mistake #1 Don't run if something really hurts!

Mistake #2 Just because you love your running buddy does not mean you have to kill yourself to run with them.



Mistake #3 If you plan on running two marathons in a 14 day period make sure you rest more than 4 days before you run again.


Now at home nursing the hamstring and using heat and ice!  Hope this does not last long.  I am still glad I ran with Mel because having an awesome running buddy really does make the run a lot more fun.

Run on
JT
http://tallmomontherun.com/

Capital City Marathon May 16, 2010

Ashleigh was there!

In the hotel room ready to go...

This is the first hill you come to... nice

 

Not to many pictures this time for good reason... 

Boston Qualifying time of 3:49:34

4th in age division

Top 10 for age division

18th woman to finish

Bronze Level Marathon Maniac - Oh Yeah!

2nd Marathon

We ran by this lake it was so beautiful.  These pictures were taken the day before!

We drove the course and we could not believe how beautiful it was.  Breath taking views.

Wish I had more pictures to show.

This is the view we had from our hotel

The Governor Hotel

http://www.olywagov.com/

621 Capitol Way South

Olympia, WA 98501

(360) 352-7700

 
I highly recommend this hotel it is: runner friendly, 2 minutes from start line, 1 minute from finish, 2 pm late check out, 6 am runners breakfast, view of lake and Capital building, what more could you ask for, oh yeah the best service.  This hotel is older but it is perfect for a race weekend.

Saturday when we arrived I was able to layout here in this park for awhile.  It was a beautiful day.  Best of all great company.  My running buddy's Shannon, Tammy, Heidi, Leslie, Ashlee, Angie and Lisa made it a perfect trip and race.   Go Fleet Feet Racers!!

 5 Marathon Maniacs that were born from this group!

Tacoma City Marathon May 2, 2010 - 1st Marathon

Before the race - nervous!  My sparkly lotion and cute earrings always help with the jitters.

Getting ready for the big race!

Where is Heidi???

Finally we are here!

The Maniac's, looks like one of them needs a bigger shirt!  Well we do know what he had to do to get that shirt so I will be quiet.

This is the limo that brought all of the Maniac Pacer's to the start line.  Pretty Cool!

This is the start of the marathon!  I look like I just opened up a box from Tiffany's!

We are just happy little runners.  Tammy looks like she is going to jump up!  Love her enthusiasm for running.  Makes me happy.

This is when Tammy and I were a little ahead of our pacer buddy, that did not last long.

I just love taking pictures while I run!  We really were having a good time at that moment.  We did not know what was coming up - that's why!  Notice the dude in the back?  He is thinking "these gals need to chill, there is a monster hill coming"!  I think he should of warned us.

Still smiling

feeling good.....

Um mm

This picture of our perfect Shannon should be on the cover of runners world so graceful and well perfect!

I do not believe I have ever seen Ashlee not smiling, still don't know her time yet.

Getting close to the last of seeing this guy.... :(

 that's my family in the car!

My family even drove beside me cheering me on - it was the best feeling knowing my family was supporting me the whole way.

Rushton Way

The Tunnel

Hayden running with his Mom, I was running so it was really hard to get Tammy in the picture! Sorry Tammy........

This part of the race meant alot to me.  My cramps were so bad at this point and I was not sure if I would make it.  Drew kept me going and ran with me for awhile.  My husband told me I could do it and I did it!

still with me, I needed him .... still do!

My legs were cramping really bad at this point.  I even prayed, yelled and stomped my feet for it to stop.

I was dying my legs were killing me. I had been sprinting since the 25 mile maker. I tried my best. I did not qualify for Boston, but I gave it all I had and more.                                                                                           

1st Marathon – TACOMA CITY MARATHON 
Time: 3:54:50
5th place out of age group
25th overall women
Missed Boston by 4 minutes 50 seconds
I am still happy about my race!

Finish line, really not sure what I said but it might of been "Help" my legs gave out right after this picture was taken I was carried to the MED TENT!  Oh so embarrassing.    

See the back ground?  That would be the Med Tent.  I spent a little time in there and I am sure the medical staff remembers me!  Good times!

No they did not take me away in the van!

My biggest fan, the love of my life, married 20 years and four kids!  Can't wait until we do Boston together!

I finally found the girls!  Good Job Gals. We did it.  And now we get to do it again May 16 Capital City Marathon two Marathon Maniacs in the making. 

                                                                                         

Tacoma City Marathon May 2, 2010

Done

Next: Capital City Marathon May 16, 2010 - purely for Maniac status bronze level

no picture taking though.....

 http://www.marathonmaniacs.com/criteria.html