The American Fork Half Marathon!

I usually don't include my half marathons in my blog, only because I barely have time to keep up with my marathons, but since I finally broke 2 hours in the half, I had to give it a mention!

 

The AF Half Marathon is AWESOME! It runs down American Fork Canyon for about 7 miles then flattens out. I tried to keep the 1:55 pacer in my sights and surprised myself when the 2:00 pacer never caught me!!

 

Cute Galloway Girls and I at the Start!

 

They doubled the size of the race this year, so the start was pretty crowded!

 

This is what a Half Marathon PR looks like!

 

Speedy Sue also ran a PR! Way to go Sue!

 

Another reason to love this race? Kneader's french toast at the finish=HEAVEN!!

 

Yeah, I am pretty proud of that!

 

Not only is this a great race, it is supporting a great cause. The American Fork Canyon Half Marathon and 5K is helping local neighbors who need financial assistance to pay for the cost of cancer treatments. The Cancer Centers at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center and American Fork Hospital, in partnership with the Utah Valley Healthcare Foundation, donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the race to this cause. If you would like to help, click here: https://intermountainhealthcare.org/communitysupport/giving/utah-valley-healthcare-foundation/Pages/donate-now-ssl.aspx

#55- The Utah Valley Marathon!

Last year was super fun at the Utah Valley Marathon as it was the host of the 2012 Marathon Maniacs Reunion. In the midst of organizing the event, by the time race day actually came, I was exhausted and didn't run well at all. In fact, for a fairly fast course, I never really run well here. I was hoping for that to change this year.

Fellow Marathon Maniac and Chief Running Officer at Runner's World Magazine, Bart Yasso and I at the expo!

This year was promised to be warmer than in year's past and I was struggling with some foot issues. My goal this year was just to make it to the finish without hobbling or dropping dead of heat stroke.

Me, Marci, Galen, Sue and Teota at the start.

 

The one thing I love about the Utah Valley Marathon is the 6:00am start (start early, finish early and beat the heat). The one thing I hate about the Utah Valley Marathon is the 6:00am start (only because this means a 2:00am wake up call for me in order to get the 4:00am bus to the start).

 

 

My fellow Maniacs, Galen, Marci and Teota met in the Harmon's parking lot in Draper at 2:45am to carpool down to Provo. I was excited to see Teota running her first full marathon since her injury in January! Welcome back Teota!!

 

Once we got to the start we were all a little put back at how warm it was. It is usually freezing at the start, but it was quite comfortable. That only meant it was going to be a scorcher once the sun came up!

 

We had a few less Maniacs than last year at the start!

 

Since 1-800 Contacts sponsored me to run, I ran in their colors! Here I am with Roger Gibson, who works in the Marketing department with me! Thanks 1-800 Contacts!

 

Marci, Teota and I trying to get one last photo in before we crossed the timing mats!

 

The weather was perfect for most of the race. There was no wind like last year. I ran most of the race with fellow Utah Maniac Mike Akagi!

 

Maniac Mike!

 

For those of you that have never run the Utah Valley Marathon, it is a must! It has some of the most beautiful scenery around.

 

So beautiful!

 

There was only one glitch to the race this year. There was not a single port-a-potty between the start and the half and between the half and the finish. Now, working and speaking with Race Director Hyrum Oaks over the years, I know his commitment to the comfort and safety to the runners is top priority. I knew right away, that this was not the fault of the race and I was right. The company responsible for placing the p-o-p's dropped the ball. While it was unfortunate, it was a mistake. People who are vowing never to come back because of it, will just cutting of their nose to spite their face. It is a great event!

 

One thing that changed this year (for the better), was that we were running on the opposite side of the road. This allowed some lovely shade, but once we got out of the canyon at around mile 21-22 (I think), it started getting hot and there were only tiny amounts of shade.

 

Mike and I hung strong to the finish and I actually felt great! While my time was not all the speedy, it was faster than I had ever run that course before. A course PR!!

 

A few Maniacs at the finish!

 

Me and another co-worker, Jeff Edwards at the finish! Jeff finished his first Marathon and I am already working on him to join the Maniacs! Hee Hee!



 

After four years of running the Utah Valley Marathon, I still love it! See you next year!

 

 

#54- The Ogden Marathon!

After the cold and rain at the Salt Lake Marathon in April, I was not to happy when Sue Mantyla and I came out of our hotel to catch the bus to the start and see it pouring. The Ogden marathon is one of the most beautiful courses in Utah (or anywhere), but the start is way up Ogden Canyon and it's always cold up there even on a nice day. I was not looking forward to sitting up there for 1 1/2 hours in pouring rain and freezing to death before we even took a step, but we are Maniacs, what else can we do?

The bus ride to the start was nice as there was a bathroom on it. I least it was clean and warm and there was no line!

Once we got up to the top, it was still raining, but it didn't feel that cold. We found a place next to one of the fires and stayed warm. We noticed that there were people walking around with plastic bags over their shoes to keep them dry and mud free. I wish I would have thought of that as my shoes were wet and muddy before got to the start line.

Maniacs at the start of the Ogden Marathon.

 

Hanging at the start with Jeff Galloway

 

I was happy when the race got started just so I could get warm. The second I moved away from the fire and took off my jacket, it was cold! I kept on my long sleeved shirt and I had already put on my $1 rain poncho, but once the rain started, they didn't do much to keep me dry or warm.

 

I was running with fellow Maniac Tim Gill (aka Kilt Dude) for the first few miles which is always fun. Around mile two, my foot really started hurting. I was already miserable and I couldn't imagine walking the whole race in the rain. I would have froze to death. I asked at an aid station if they had any pain medication and they said no, so in desperation I just started asking people on the course. A nice man heard my cry and hooked me up with three Advil. I NEVER take Advil during a race, but I was desperate. If it didn't work, I would have to take my first DNF. Thank goodness about 20 minutes after I took it, the pain let up enough for me to continue.

 

I lost Tim at a potty stop so the rest of the race I was pretty much on my own. People do not talk to each other when it's pouring rain and cold. I finally took out my iPod (which only comes out in an emergency) and started listening to episodes of NPR's "This American Life". The podcasts were so interesting, it took my mind off of the misery I was feeling.

 

At about mile 22, I started getting a second wind and I picked up the pace. I just started ticking people off one by one. When I got a mile out I realized that if I kept going, I not only would break 5 hours (something I thought was lost in the middle of the race), but I would get a negative split!

 

As I saw the finish line, I ripped the rain poncho off me (I was sick of wearing it and I wanted at least one photo without it), and sprinted towards the finish. When I saw I broke 5:00 hours with a negative split, I burst into tears. I have run a lot faster on that course, but I was so happy to have turned my race around when I thought I might DNF. It was quite emotional for me.

It was a fist pump moment for me when I crossed the finish line.

 

No DNF today!!

 

I love Ogden and will be back next year, I hope!

 





#53- The Tacoma City Marathon and the Marathon Maniacs 10th Anniversary!

The Tacoma City Marathon in 2010, held a very special place in my heart. It was the first time I had ever attended a Marathon Maniac reunion and I went with about 10 other Utah Maniacs. What a blast we had! I had even managed to wrangle a PR (at that time) out of the hardest and hilliest course I had ever run!

 

When it was announced that the 10th Anniversary Celebration would be held in Tacoma on May 5, 2013, I was so excited and scared at the same time. I knew it would be fun with over 500 Maniacs in attendance, but I wondered if that hilly course would still feel hard (even though I was a more experienced runner and the course had changed some)? My answer...it was!!

 

I flew into Seattle on Saturday and immediately went to meet my fellow Maniac and foodie, Michael "The Shoe" Hsu for a delicious Mexican lunch before heading to the host hotel.

 

How is that for carbo loading?

 

After lunch we headed to Tacoma and to the Hotel Murano where the expo and Marathon Maniac meeting and dinner would be held (and where we were all staying).

 

I had a room with a view!

 

After checking in, Michael and I hit the expo! We ran into a lot of friends there!

 

 

The Prez and Marathon Maniacs #1, Steven Yee and I!

 

The AMAZING organizer of this year's reunion, Ms. Patty Krebsbach and I!

 

Joe Taricani and Greg Goebel

 

Dave Mari and I!

 

Clem George and Tony Nguyen and I!

 

Michael and I went a little crazy at the expo!

 

After the Expo we headed to the Maniac meeting and pasta dinner. As the meeting and pasta dinner was held in the same place as the expo, we had to wait a couple of hours for the hotel to clear the expo space and set up the meeting and dinner space. Our Presidente killed some time by giving out some rare Maniac gear only available at the reunion!

 

The Prez calling out names in the drawing.

 

There were colored t-shirts and gloves, but I wanted one of the red MM sippy cups!! I ended up winning a XL Pink t-shirt. My hotel roomie Abbi Auger won the cup and an excellent trade was made!

 

Oh Yeah!! Abbi traded her cup for my t-shirt! Awesome deal!

 

When the hotel finally opened the doors to the room, they informed Tony P. that they had another banquet in the hotel and did not have enough food to meet the tickets sold. At this point a lot of us with tickets gave them up for a full refund on the spot. I felt terrible for the organizers. This was a hotel fail! 

 

Before taking off to find dinner, we stayed for the first part of the meeting. I had been instructed to keep my friend Galen Garrison there as he was getting an award. That was hard to do! It was getting late and Galen was hungry! I finally convinced him to stay. When the big 3 (Steven, Tony and Chris) started giving out awards I was shocked and honored to receive one myself!!

 

The Big 3 (MM#1, #2 &#3) presenting me the award for "Positive Goodwill and Spirit within the Marathon Community"!

 

My Award! 

 

Dan Semsel presented Galen one of his rare USAF Challenge Coins to recognize him for taking the lead in tracking down all the Marathon Maniacs in Boston during the Boston bombings. 

 

Galen and Dan.

 

We ended up eating at the restaurant in the hotel and while dinner took forever, once we got it it was pretty good. 

 

After dinner we all went upstairs to get ready for the race and to get some sleep. 

 

The next morning Abbi and I got up and headed down to meet our fellow Maniacs for a bus ride to the start.

 



Abbi and I on the bus to the start!

 

The start area was in this big airplane hanger. We all gathered in there to keep warm as it was quite windy and chilly at the start. Lord knows we were begging for that cold air later in the day.

 

A few of my favorite Maniacs!

 

Tom Scott (aka Harem Dude) and I

 

Fellow Utah Maniacs, Galen and Sue!

Kim and I like to re-fashion our Maniac gear!

My Birthday buddy, Brad Nelson and I!

 

This group picture barely fits on the page!

 

 After all the catching up and photo taking, it was finally time to run!

 

Galen, Marci and I starting the race!

 

"The Shoe", Rose and I about a mile in. I am still cold so I will run with my blankie a little while longer!

 

JC had quite the team running with him to celebrate his 100th Marathon!

 

Getting ready to run over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge!

 

I had a great time running through Pt. Defiance with the AWESOME Betsy Rogers heading up the 5:00 pace group.

 

I was having a really nice race running and chatting with Betsy Rogers through Pt. Defiance. Man is that place beautiful! It is also quite hilly, but the trees offered some lovely shade. At about mile 19 I could feel my calfs start to seize. I would stop and walk for a minute until the twinge passed and then start running again. I did this two or three times until both calfs revolted and went into full on cramping. By this time, I had lost Betsy and was out of the lovely shade hobbling the best I could. I felt a little defeated and thought I might need to walk the last 6 miles in.

 

It was then I saw Dave Mari. That angel with a camera gave me some salt tabs which I could take now that I had just filled my water bottle at the aid station. After about 10-15 minutes, I was able to run again, but at this point it was so hot, every time I would come up to a Maniac walking, I just stopped and walked (and talked) with them for a few minutes. Heck, I was not getting a PR and I had lost the 5:00 pacer, I might as well enjoy the last few miles!

 

I ran/walked with Michael Hsu the last few miles. He was trying not to get a PW (personal worst) so in the last mile, I "shooed" him off. The half last mile was hard as I could hear the finish line but could not see it. I just wanted to be done! When I finally saw it, I was so happy! I knew once I crossed that finish line there would a nice big medal and lots of Maniacs to visit with!

 

Dan, Louie, Monte and I at the finish!

 

Post race interview with Joe from the Marathon Show!

 

Probably my favorite photo from the whole race! Thanks for the cape E. Dude!

 

So many cool Maniacs, so little time!

 

After the race Marci and her husband Mike let me shower in their room and get ready for the first of the after parties (thank guys)!

 

 



Food and great people at the after party!

 

The second party was bowling! I was sooooo wanting to go, but I was sooooooo tired. Galen was nice enough to offer me the sofa bed in his room so I had a place to crash before hitting the airport home. Thanks G!

 

All in all it was a GREAT weekend. Every reunion makes me love this little (7,000+) club of ours! I can't wait to see what's in store for 2014!!