Antelope Island Training Run

Today our crazy crew (Teresa, Bob B., Bob K., Skyler, Franz and I) headed out to Antelope Island for a practice run in preparation for the Antelope Island 25k/50k.

We kind of figured out where we needed to be by a really bad course map and headed out on the trail. It was cold when we started, but it warmed up quickly. The first 2-3 miles of the trail was uphill so we went pretty easy. Once we got to where the trail leveled out, Teresa decided to drop a layer (we thought we were doing a loop and would pick up her shirt on the way back).

Me on the trail

Teresa on the trail

The ground was frozen and rough. Where there wasn't snow, there was frozen buffalo tracks. Teresa and I made it to mile 5 when we caught up to the guys. At that point we realized that we were not doing a loop back to where Teresa had dropped her shirt. Being the nice husband, Bob B. offered to run back and get it for her. The guys decided to join him. Right then we ran into a few other runners that were also training for the Buffalo Run. They gave Teresa and I directions to get back to our car, so we could continue on the trail. We went our separate ways, and agreed to meet back at the car.

The Guys

 

As Teresa and I started down the trail about a mile, we saw an entire herd of buffalo. They were all standing right next to the trail. The closer we got the more nervous I got. They were huge and if they stampeded, we would not be able to out run them! We decided the best and safest thing to do was to climb the ridge of the mountain and run, then make our way back down to the trail once we passed them. It worked.

Teresa and I with the Buffalo!

We headed back down the trail for about another mile. We saw a herd of antelope and were having a great time. Then we realized that we were no longer on a trail. We were lost. We joked about wishing we had watched more "Man vs Wild" episodes and kept running (who knows where)! When we finally saw a gate that led the paved road, we were relieved. We took off down the paved road expecting to see the car anytime.

The Great Salt Lake

 

We thought we would be back to the car at 8 miles and we were already at almost 9. We decided to text the guys. At that moment, a park ranger stopped and asked us if we were lost. We said "yes". He offered us a ride back to our car. At this point Teresa said "Thanks, but we can run if you tell us about how far we are?", expecting him to say a mile or so. "7-8 miles" he said! We got in the car.

When we got back, we saw the car pulling away. The guys had received our text and were coming to find us! Priceless was the look on their faces when Teresa and I pulled up in the ranger's car! We started this run looking for adventure and we found it!

We all headed back laughing about our adventure and were rewarded with IHOP! I am so lucky to have such a great group of friends to run with!

Thinking of Daddy Today.

24 years ago today, I lost my father Clarence Karl Whitworth. No matter how much time goes by, I still miss him. He was a great dancer and super funny. I love you Daddy.

Utah Marathon Maniacs

In case you didn't know, I am a member of the Marathon Maniacs club. This international club is unique as you have to qualify for membership. To attain the lowest level of membership (1 star) one must run 3 marathons in 90 days (training runs do not count). There are over 3,000 members of the Marathon Maniacs and out of that 3,000, 23 are in Utah. 8 of those 23 are not only in my running club, but they are my good friends! (From L to R) Bob Baker #1974, Teresa Baker #1916, Bob Karlick #2031, Teri Pastorino #2021, Jim Levy #1976, Kevin Emery #1829, Me #1975, (front) Franz Kolb #1753.

If You Have a Dog- Read This!! Zoe Hospitalized!!

On January 2nd, David and I gave our pups what we thought would be a nice treat for them, a ham bone to chew on. Toby chewed for a while and came inside, but Zoe stayed out a little longer chewing on hers.

Later that night we had friends over for dinner and all seemed normal except Zoe started scratching at the door to go out minutes after David had taken her out. We thought she just wanted to play, then she pooped on the floor in front of the door. We felt bad for not taking her out again.

David went in and went to bed when I heard one of the dog throwing up. I thought it was Toby because when I turned on the light the vomit was near him. I cleaned it up and went to bed leaving the pups out of their crates. In minutes Zoe was up on the bed with me. With in seconds she jumped down an thew up. I got out of bed and woke up David. I turned on the lights again and noticed that she had thrown up all over the bedroom! The vomit was dark in color and that worried me. I decided to sleep on the couch with the dogs so I could monitor her. When I woke up Sunday morning, it looked like a massacre. There was blood everywhere! Poor little Zoe had vomited and pooped blood all over the house! After a few minutes of hysterical crying, I called two animal hospitals and both told me to get her to the ER ASAP! I scooped her up and flew, barely able to see the road through my tears.

Once there the doctor looked at her and diagnosed her with Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE) and suggested that we admit her into the doggie hospital, which we did. They gave her an IV as she was severly dehydrated. David and I went back later that day to see her. I held her in my arms for a few minutes. Then I looked down and blood was dripping from her little butt. Hysterical crying began again.

She stayed in the hospital until Monday night (mainly because our bill was $800 and we could not afford to keep her there longer). She was tired but doing much better. I stayed home with her the next day to make sure she could go out (as she still had diarrhea) and get her 4 medications on time.

By Monday night she was doing better and by Tuesday night she was back to her old self eating, playing and torturing Toby. The doctor said if we waited an hour more she could have died. Thank goodness she is OK.

Happy New Year 2010!