The Goldilocks Half Marathon

A little over a week ago I got a message from Holly Garcia from RYR Pacers asking if I was available to pace the 2:30 group at the Goldilocks Half Marathon. I generally won't accept any pacing gigs slower than 2:20, but with Ogden next week (my first attempt to qualify for Boston), I said yes. I thought an easy run at new race would be fun and I love pacing, so it was a win-win.

Goldilocks has been around since 2012, but as a women's cycling event. This was the first year they added a 5K, 10K, and half marathon to the event. 

I got to the start at 6:30am and met the other pacers. The night before, the weather had been cold and rainy, but when I got to the race, the sky was overcast, but dry. I looked at my Weather Channel app and it too indicated that the rain would hold off until around noon. With the race starting at 7:15am, there was plenty of time to finish before it started to rain again...or so I thought. 

At the start of the Goldilocks Half Marathon

Goldilocks would not be the same without a bear or two..or three.

Pacers at the start!

Cyclists getting started.

The race was small, maybe 200 people. The 60 mile cyclists started at the same time, but in the corrals ahead of us. At 7:15am we were off.

Starting our 13.1 mile journey!

All lined up and ready to run!

About a mile into the race, it started to sprinkle and by mile 3, it was full on dumping rain and I immediately regretted leaving my jacket and hat in my gear bag. I have run many marathons in rainy conditions, but when you combine rain, wind and 40 degree temperatures, it can be miserable.  

I had two women running with me that were running their first half marathon. I tried to keep them pumped up through the bad conditions. Doing your first race is scary enough, add bad weather and it could mentally break you down.

Within the first few miles the rain fell hard!

Once it got really cold I had to watch my pace. The harder the rain fell and the colder I got, the faster I wanted to run just to get done, but I was there to do a job.

About 4 miles in I had to stop to use the bathroom (in one of the pink port-a-potties). My hands were already so cold, I had trouble untying my pants. I finally got done and had to make up for the time I lost in there. This was the best part of the run. I got to pick up the pace and the faster I ran, the more I warmed up!

I caught my group and when I got to the next mile marker, I had made up more than enough time and was a little ahead. I slowed back down, but by mile 7, I was having a hard time even holding the pacer balloons. Even with gloves on, my hands were so cold, they had already gone numb.

I was miserable, but I tried to keep smiling!

At mile 10, we merged with the 10K runners, which was nice as by this time the two ladies that were with me had fallen back and I was pretty much alone for a while. 

At mile 11, I hit the restroom one more time. My hands were so numb, I had to come out of the restroom and ask one of the 10K runners to help me pull my pants up all the way! We both had a good laugh about that.

When I finally finished, I collected my silver necklace and headed directly into the finisher building, where they had big pots of warm oatmeal with all the fixings, bagels, fruit, and drinks.

     Finally finished!

Instead of your standard race medal, Goldilocks gave runners this cute silver necklace!

I picked up my gear bag (where I had put my jacket), and I started to violently shake, I was so cold. A woman from the University of Utah Medical Center booth saw me and wrapped me in a foil blanket and helped me open my gear bag, as my hands were not working. I finally got my jacket on and had to ask another girl to help me zip it up!

I got a warm bowl of oatmeal and a half a bagel and was still freezing, so I decided to make my way back to my car and get the heat on ASAP. I sat in the car for a few minutes as it warmed up, but my hands were still so cold I could not grip the steering wheel. 

As the heat started to return, the worst pain went through my hands making me wonder if frostbite had set in, but by the time I was able to get home the pain had stopped and my hands were nearly back to normal.

I got home and had the longest, hottest shower ever!

The Goldilocks race shirt was so cute!

This race would have been so much fun if the weather was good. The course is pretty flat and running through Daybreak was actually fun. There are some really cute houses there! 

The race is really well organized and I highly recommend it!

Johnny Runner 5K and 10K Trail Run.

Back in August of 2012, I ran my first ultra marathon at the Corner Canyon 50K. My friend Galen had told me about it and encouraged me to do it as it was a fundraiser for John Maack, a local ultra runner who was diagnosed with a rare form of Cancer called Mantle Cell non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  It was probably still the hardest race I have ever done, but I met a lot of really cool people and got my first taste of ultra running.

Today, we were back at corner canyon, but this time John Maack (who is 2 years in remission) was helping others by hosting a 5 and 10K trial run to support the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. 

John Maack and I Sporting our Johnny Runner Shirts!

The morning started at 6;30am when Rob picked me up and we drove to the Andy Ballard Equestrian Center in Draper just minutes from my apartment to pick up our race packets. I was running the 10k and Rob (running his first race ever) did the 5k.

It was fun to see so many friends there, some I see all the time, some I haven't seen in ages all there to help such a good cause. 

Becca, Melissa and I. Wasatch Running Center girls IN THE HOUSE!

Getting ready to start the 10K

Packet pick up! 

So fun to see Charles and Terri!

I haven't seen Colette in ages! She and I paced Galen at his first 100 miler!

Rob excited to run his first race ever!

The 10k started at 8:00am (30 minutes before the the 5k.), so at about 7:50am, John said a few words about the cause we were running for, gave the course briefing and we were off!

John giving the course briefing.

The course was beautiful! The first mile was the hardest for me. We started climbing the single track trail from the start, but after the first mile I settled in and found my pace. 

The course was pretty much uphill for the first half. We went up the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, winded ran around Potato Hill and back down the same way. I live near Corner Canyon and there were parts of the trail I had never been on. I really want to incorporate this trail into my 100 mile training! I was AWESOME!

I had to power walk a few times going up but once we headed back, I was hitting 7:30-8:00 miles on the trail! It was so much fun!

Awesome single track trail.

Corner Canyon has some of the best groomed trails around!

There were a few times we had to dodge bikes and other hikers, but people were generally cool to let us pass.

I spent a good part of the race alone, though I could see the runners ahead and behind me. With about 1.5 miles left, Two really nice ultra guys caught me on another uphill section. I tried to stay with them, but they passed me. Once we got to the top of the hill, I turned on the gas and was able to catch them again. I found out they were at the Salt Flats 100 last weekend and remembered Rob at the aid station!

I finished the race strong, met and congratulated Rob, ate some food and just hung out in the sunshine!

Andrea fell hard, but still came out as one of the top finishers!

Rob and I getting a selfie!

My pal John and his wife Marcy and I after the race.

This was a great race for a great cause!

  

The INCREDIBLE ‪Scott James Jewelry‬ Does It Again!

He made the the coolest custom New York City Marathon Charm, so he was the first person I contacted to make me a custom charm to celebrate my first 50 mile race (Rocky Raccoon 50) and he did a PERFECT job! I LOVE it! 

If you like silver running charms you cannot go wrong with www.scottjamesjewelry.com

Side note: Scott cannot make charms with official race logos without written permission from the Race Director.

Volunteering At The Salt Flats 100!

The one thing you learn early on running races is that no race can be successful without volunteers, so when my friend Blaine Hawkes posted on Facebook that they needed volunteers for the aid station that he and his family were running at the Salt Flats 100, I was happy to volunteer.

Two years ago, I paced my friend Galen during his first 100 miler at the Salt Flats 100, so I was familiar with the race, in fact aid station 11 was same said station I helped at while waiting for Galen to come in.

My friend Rob had never volunteered at a race, but he said he would like to help too. Not an avid runner, I hoped he would have fun and get a little glimpse of what I call exciting. Staying up all night in the cold desert waiting to help runners that have run almost 75 miles is something not everyone would think was fun, but to my surprise, he was a great volunteer, really stepped up to the plate and had a great time!

After work Friday night, I picked up Rob in Salt Lake and we headed out the famous Bonneville Salt Flats in the pouring rain.

Rob and I hitting the road! (Photo by Rob Benson)

Before we left we had to stop and pick up some supplies for the aid station. The last stop was for ice at the gas station right before you hit the Salt Flats. We had to wait for the RD to come down and approve us to pick up the ice, so while we waited, Rob took some photos and bought a few Bonneville Speedway souvenirs. He just moved to Utah from the U.K. and was looking forward to seeing the Salt Flats, but it was dark by the time we got there.

#94- The Salt Lake City Marathon And My 6 Year Marathoniversary!

On April 18th, 2009, I ran my very first marathon at the Salt Lake City Marathon. Six years later to the day, I ran the Salt Lake marathon again, but this year I ran pacing the 4:30 pace group. I love pacing and I thought this was the perfect race to celebrate my marathoniversary!

Friday night I hit the expo to pick up my race packet and tried to start recruiting for my pace group! 

My morning began at 4;30am. I woke up, got ready had headed down to Sugar House to drop my car off at my friend Rob's apartment and he was nice enough to get up early to drive me to downtown, where I was meeting the rest of the pacers. We got a little lost finding the hotel where I was meeting everyone, but made it in time to meet everyone on the Trax train to the start. Trax offers free rides to the start for all runners, which makes it really convenient. 

The Trax train to the start was busy!

Once we got off the train, I headed towards the start at Legacy Bridge. I had just enough time to hit the restroom, check my bag and settle into my place, ready to meet those who would try to stay with me for the next 26.2 miles.

The race starts at Legacy Bridge at the University of  Utah (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

The Start!

I met a fellow streaker at the start!

It was so great to see fellow Maniac Michelle at the start!

The race started at 7:00am and we headed uphill towards the Federal Heights neighborhood, then headed downhill through the Avenues, and down the beautiful Memory Grove. This was the hardest part to keep pace on. Early in the race everyone is excited and the adrenaline is pumping. With all that downhill it is easy to go to fast, so I had to eagle eye my Garmin to make sure I was staying on pace.   

Course map

Heading down 11th Avenue you get a good view of the Salt Lake Cemetery (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

Heading down Memory Grove with a beautiful view of the Capitol Building. (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

Coming down Memory Grove

Once out of Memory Grove we ran though the historical part of Salt Lake City. Running past the Salt Lake Temple and Eagle Gate, then up South Temple Street past some of Salt Lake City's most beautiful and historical buildings.

The Salt Lake Temple (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

Eagle Gate (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

Running up South Temple Street (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

The Cathedral of the Madeline.  (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

The Cathedral of the Madeline. (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

First Presbyterian Church (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

April is the best time to see the beautiful Tulips downtown! (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

Downtown has some of the most beautiful old mansions. (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

The Governor's Mansion (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

The Masonic Temple (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

The Salt Lake City Marathon course changed last year which meant one of the funniest unofficial "aid stations" was lost last year. "Temptation Station" was the only aid station (provided by residents in the neighborhood) that offered beer and tequila shots! It was pretty funny to see who was brave enough to partake. This aid station used to be at around mile 21, but with the course change it was a lot earlier. I am not a drinker, but it was fun to see them out there again.  

Temptation Station was back this year! (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

Just after mile 10, we entered Sugar House Park. It was so nice to see Rob standing out there with a sign cheering for me! It was so sweet! 

Running into Sugar House Park! (Photo by Rob Benson)

The Lake at Sugar House Park! (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

Leaving Sugar House Park! (Photo by Rob Benson)

One of my favorite things about pacing, is picking up folks in those last few miles, some of which are struggling. Having someone encourage them and give them someone to talk to helps take their minds off those last hard miles. Some times they can hang with me, sometimes they can't, but it always makes me feel good to be able to help, even if it is for a short time.

One girl in my pace group joined me right after the start. Her name was Nena. She had run a couple of marathons before, but her previous PR was 5:07. I told her to stay with me for as long as she could and she did amazing!

Salt Lake City Hall (Photo by Dawn Bentley)

Drummers in Liberty Park!

As we came though Liberty Park with two miles to go, I told her that if she felt good, she needed to take off and leave me. I really wanted her to finish ahead of me. In the last mile she did just that an earned herself an AWESOME PR. This is one of the rewards of pacing, seeing someone reach their goal and sometimes far beyond what they thought they were capable of!

This is Nena. She ran with me the whole time. Here previous PR was a 5:07. Needless to say, she killed it!

My pacing gig was a success! I finished in 4:29:31. 

Nena and I at the finish!

Me at the finish!

Rob was so nice to come out with a sign and cheer for me! Such a nice guy!

This is my third year pacing the Salt Lake City Marathon and look forward for the opportunity to pace it again next year. The new course is a little more hilly, but so much more scenic. If you need an April marathon in Utah, the Salt Lake City marathon is a good choice. 

Achieving Your Goals When Things Are Not Perfect.

It is no secret that I have made big goals for myself this year. I mean, how does one reach for the stars when they seem so far away? At first, I thought maybe I had bitten off more than I can chew (that still remains to be seen), but as I work hard, I am seeing that these goals are not THAT far out of reach.

I was really inspired over the summer and fall, then the shocking break up of a relationship I was in sent me into a deep depression that in most cases would paralyze me, causing me to withdraw from life (which I did a little, I mean my apartment needs serious help!). I have tried to keep my eye on the prize, but I have to say, even newly dating a really nice guy, there have been dark moments that I am just now trying to crawl out of. 

Achieving my goals will be much harder in this space, so I have decided to make a little vision board to help remind me of what I want to achieve this year. It will help me keep a positive outlook and remind me daily what I need to be working towards. 

My Little Vision Board

I have this board positioned right in my living room where I can look at it numerous times a day. When I plop down on the couch too tired to run, I look at the Boston Marathon logo, pace band, and 100 mile belt buckle. That gets me off the couch and out the door! 

Trusting love again, being financially secure, being happy and finishing my 100th marathon are also goals I have for myself. This just help remind me to lasso those goals in when life tries to push them away. I probably should have put a maid somewhere on there too! 

What do you do to stay motivated when things are not perfect?