#60 The Mid-Mountain Marathon

For marathon #60, I chose the Mid Mountain Marathon in Park City. I chose this race for a few reasons, but the main reason was that it was the last race in the Triple Trail Challenge (with the Jupiter Peak Steeple Chase and the Park City Marathon). If I completed this race I would have earned an AWESOME embroidered Marmot jacket (and bragging rights) as a Triple Trail Challenge finisher. All of these races are incredibly difficult.

 

I have run a few trail races and with the exception of the Corner Canyon 50K I ran last year, I have never done a trail marathon, so needless to say I was quite nervous. The Jupiter Peak Steeple Chase left me with a twisted ankle, blisters and a bloody back (from my Camelback) and it was only 16 miles. With the NYC Marathon coming soon, I just could NOT get injured!

 

The race started at 8:00am and thanks to my dear friends Bob and Teresa who offered me the guest room in their Park City condo, I was able to pick up our packets Friday evening (instead of battling the crowds on race morning) and we were able to sleep in until 6:00am (very rare for marathon morning).

 

As we all gathered at the start, it was great to see a lot of Marathon Maniac friends. Some I haven't seen in a while, like Franz Kolb and some Maniacs I had never met like, Sarah Englund and Stacia Brandner Brack Klundt.

 

 

Maniacs at the start.

 

Lining up to the start line. 

 

Before the start the Race Director informed us that there had been a course change that meant we would now be going over Iron Mountain (another 2,000 foot climb). I was not worried about it as I had never run this course before and didn't know what to expect without it, so off we went.





 

Being in Park City, I knew this would be a beautiful race, but even I was surprised at just how beautiful it was.

 

The first few miles were lots of fun as I ran with my fellow Utah Maniacs Bob, Earl, Franz and our new friend Stacia. The boys eventually were a little too speedy for me, but I was really happy to still have Stacia with me. One on my biggest fears is being on the trail alone and falling or running into a wild animal with nobody around to help me.

Runners on the trail.

Amazing scenery on this race.

 

Stacia and I plugged away and were making pretty good time until we hit Iron Mountain. It was steep and there was no tree cover at all. It was so hot going up that mountain that I started to feel dizzy. I knew there was no way we could stop and rest. According to the race instructions we had to be at the fourth aid station at mile 16 in four hours. If you didn't make it, they would take your bib and your race would be done. That would mean no jacket for me. Now in a regular road marathon that would be a piece of cake, but as we kept going, we found out quick that that was a tight cut off.

 

As we got closer to mile 16, we knew it was going was going to be close and every hill we had to hike up closed that gap a little more. I went from being very comfortable about making the cut off to very nervous about getting pulled from the course!

 

When we hit mile 16 we were right at four hours. We saw a medical person and a young volunteer, but no aid station. When I asked the volunteer where the aid station was his response was "three miles up". I told him that I was in no mood for jokes as our race depended on us getting to that aid station. He assured me he wasn't joking, the the reality was, he didn't know.

 

As mile 16, turned into 16.5 and there was no aid station, Stacia and I started thinking of what we were going to say to convince the folks at the aid station to let us continue. At mile 17 we saw the aid station. We were so exhausted and stressed, but when we came in, the aid station workers cheered for us and let us know that we made it in plenty of time. They said that they moved the cut off to 4 1/2 hours at mile 17! It would have been nice to know that in advance.

 

Poor Bob said that he sprinted ahead, using everything he had to get there to warn the aid station that Earl and Franz were close behind so they wouldn't get pulled. It was literally nerve racking. Thank goodness we were all able to get there on time. The next obstacle was to get to the finish line by 3:00pm.

 

At this point were so exhausted. Then we caught Teresa's good friend Katie. I had met Katie a few times so was really glad to see her. Stacia, Katie and I stuck together. We told stories of our families, marriages, divorces, etc. Then we caught our fellow Maniac, Cindy. Now there were four of us banding together to finish this thing!! The miles while tough seemed to go by a lot faster as we all banded together. I am not sure how any of us would have done all alone those last six miles, but I know I was lifted by having these great ladies with me.

 

One mile from the finish, we could see the finish line at the bottom of the mountain. We knew we would make it! As we approached the finish line, the four of us joined hands and crossed the finish line together. This finish was a group effort!

 

The power of friendship on the trail! I was so lucky to run and finish with these great ladies! Katie, Me, Stacia and Cindy approaching the finish line. (Photo by Teresa Baker) 

 

It was so great to see Teresa cheering at the finish! First thing she said was "Go get your jacket!" I went over, picked up the jacket that I had worked so hard to get. I felt great to finally hold it in my hands. I was so excited to get the jacket, I almost forgot to get my medal!

My jacket and I!

 

I was also glad to see my friend Laura and her CUTE little daughter Violet at the finish to cheer for me. I felt bad that it took me so long. I was really nice for her to come!

Laura and Violet

 

I could not wait to get my shoes off and sit in the grass and celebrate with the rest of my friends! Teresa had bought a bottle of champagne (and a Diet Coke for me). We were all pretty excited! 

Stacia, Katie and I (Cindy had left already).

Bob, Galen, Earl and Sue with their Jackets!

Bob, Franz and I at the finish!

Sue and Kim with their jackets!

 

The shirt and medal.

Close up of the bling!

 

I am so excited to have completed this race. It was the toughest marathon I have ever done, but it was one of the most beautiful too. It humbled even the fastest road marathoners. I think I will stick with Nebo next year and cheer for those who go for the Triple Trail Challenge next year.

 

HUGE THANKS to Teresa and Bob for their AMAZING hospitality!! I love you guys!

 



#59 The Pocatello Marathon

For the fourth time I headed back to the Pocatello Marathon. This race not only holds a special place in my heart due to the family connection (my dad was born and raised in the area and my mom and dad lived met in Pocatello), but the race is AWESOME.

 

With Competitor and Disney charging well over $100 to run a race, the Pocatello Marathon put together a race with better perks for the low price of $40!!!

My pal Galen was good enough to drive, letting another Maniac friend Heather and I tag along. We picked Heather up at the airport around 5:00pm on Friday and booked it to Pocatello in hopes of getting to the expo before they closed.

 

I usually put together a Maniac dinner, but knowing we would be getting in late, deferred those duties to another Maniac this year. Luckily, we got to the expo in time to get our packets and still had a few minutes to stop by the dinner.

Maniacs at the pre-race dinner.

The perks of being fashionably late to the dinner? You get the door prizes! Thanks Cade! (Photo by Heather Zeigler)

 

After getting some dinner, we ran to the grocery store for some water and breakfast items, then went back to the hotel for some sleep.

 

The alarm went off at 4:00am and I was feeling super tired. Since I ate dinner later than usual, I wasn't hungry for breakfast at all. I proceeded to get ready and I took a banana on the bus with me.

 

Heather and I on the bus to the start. (Photo by Heather Zeigler)

 

Galen and Aaron on the bus to the start. (Photo by Heather Zeigler)

 

The start is on a sheep farm. We got off the bus and walked up to the barn where we ran into more Maniac friends. About 15 minutes before the start, I realized that we had not organized a Maniac photo. I asked my friend Mary to stop any Maniacs where she was and I would go and gather any other Maniacs I saw. I started yelling "Maniac photo!" and people just gathered! We had a very impressive group photo for only having a few minutes to get people together!

 

Maniacs at the Start!

 

Before I knew it, the gun went off and we were on our way! This summer's marathons have been a little lonely as my girls Teresa and Teota have not been doing many full marathons this summer. I usually have one or both of them to run with, but since neither of them were there, I was gearing up for a lonely run. I should have known better, as I was able to run with a few very nice people!

I ran the first 5 miles with Arizona Maniac Jeff!

 

It is always fun to see Denis on the course!

Gotta love the cow ladies!

The Elevation Chart

 

One of the great things about Pocatello, is the course! I love the first 13.1 miles! It is cool, fast, and downhill. I was making some great time.

 

The second half is more challenging with rolling hills and no shade, and it got a little toasty. Once the heat hit my back, I slowed down a lot.

 

At mile 15, I was running in downtown Inkom, where my dad was born and raised and where I spent many summers as a child with my Aunt May and Uncle Dennis. I got nice shot of energy when I saw my sweet Aunt May and Uncle Dennis clapping for me as I came to the mile 15 mile marker. I was all alone at this point and it really meant a lot to me that they came out to support me.

 

I suffered through miles 18-22 as the heat was getting to me. Thank goodness there were 2 misters and aid stations every mile along the last 6 miles, which cooled me off and gave me an extra boost of energy to finish. 

 

I was really "smelling the barn" those last two miles and just wanted to be done. I could not wait to take off my shoes and lay in the shade! 

 

As I came in the finish shoot I could hear Galen cheering for me! He had done really well and finished long before me. It was nice of him to wait and make sure I came in OK. Thanks G!

 

When I finished, I took off my shoes, laid in the grass, hung out with a few Maniacs, then went over for a pulled pork sandwich and baked potato!

Galen, Dan and I at the finish!

Cade, Mike and I at the finish!



 

 Now, one thing that is hard when traveling to a marathon, is getting back to the hotel after the race in time to take a shower before check out. I would like to give a HUGE THANK YOU to the Pocatello Clarion Inn for being so accommodating to the runners. When we checked in we were told that runners were automatically being given a 2:00pm check out! We didn't even have to ask. More host hotels could take a page from them! 

 

I was really hoping to have lunch with my aunt and uncle after the race, but with BYU football starting  at 1:30pm and me not getting back to the hotel until almost just before check out, I didn't get to hook up with them before heading home.

 

After checking out of the hotel, a bunch of us Maniacs headed to the Applebees next to the hotel for a celebratory lunch. It was really fun to hear about how every one's race went and just relax.

Maniacs at the post-race celebration!

 

After lunch, Galen, Aaron and I headed back to Draper. Aaron's plane ticket got messed up so I offered him a place to stay.

 

Once we got home, Aaron and I indulged in a post race dinner of In-N-Out Burger!

I have been trying to cut back on meat again, but cheeseburgers taste so good after a race!

Gotta love the  Pocatello swag!!

 

Gotta love the Pocatello bling!

 

For anyone looking for a fun and inexpensive race, the Pocatello Marathon is for you!  Still the best race I have seen for the price! 

 

 

 



#58- The Park City Marathon

I have a love/hate relationship with the Park City Marathon. I love Park City. It is a beautiful place to run, but if you are looking for a marathon like most marathons in Utah (the kind that starts at the top of some beautiful canyon that you get to run down), think again! The Park City Marathon is hard!

 

Our race weekend began on Friday with a few Maniac friends for dinner at Red Rock!

Maniac Dinner at Red Rock in Park City! (Photo by Teresa Baker)

 

After dinner we had a girls slumber party at Teresa Baker's (my partner in shenanigans) Park City condo. Donna Loud, our friend from Sarasota, FL, Marci Jenks, Teresa and I all had a really fun evening talking and drinking wine (seltzer water in a beer glass for me- it made me feel like a grown up too! Hee Hee) until it was time to hit the hay. Donna and I had a 3:45am wake up call for the full marathon. Teresa and Marci were the smart ones, they got to sleep in a little as they were doing the half marathon.

 

The best kept secret of the Park City Marathon is the early start. The early start begins at 5:00am (hence our 3:45am wake up call). It is primarily for those walking the race, but a few of us slower folks like to beat the heat and start with them. If you want to qualify for an age group award, you will not qualify with the early start. I knew I was not in the running anyway, so why not! It is pitch black out when we start, so we got out our headlamps and flashlights and prayed we would not get lost in the dark (which I do every year).

 

There were not as many people at the early start this year and a lot of them were walkers. If we were going to run/walk, I would need to pay close attention to where we were going. As we all started off Donna and I paid close attention and we never got lost!

 

The best thing about the early start is being the first one in the port-a-potty! No lines and it's clean! We didn't hit the first open aid station until about mile 7 so we carried our own water and fuel and were just fine.




The Elevation Chart Speaks for Itself!

The first 16 miles of the course are climbing. At some spots the grade is gentle, almost to the point of feeling flat, but at around mile 10, I started feeling like I had run much further. The elevation didn't help (starting at 6400 feet is hard even for us Salt Lake City folks). Donna, being from Florida was doing great considering there are no hills or elevation in Sarasota!

Donna looking strong about mile 12!  See the horse?

Me around mile 12.

  

 At about mile 12, we begin the harshest of climbs to Deer Valley. Donna and I were doing shorter intervals at this point just to get up the hill with out spending all of our energy. Once we hit Deer Valley at mile 16, we would get to go downhill.

Is Donna getting the thumbs up or is that horse telling us to get up that hill?!

 

Every year the chicken man is at the aid station at around mile 15. I look forward to seeing him every year!



Donna and I were so happy to see mile 16! It is so nice to run downhill after running uphill for so long. My legs had to adjust, but it still felt awesome!

At around mile 23, you hit the iconic barn in Park City!

 

As we made our way down the rail trail, it was getting hot. There were a few times we would hit some shaded areas with pockets of cold air that felt heavenly!

 

At mile 25 you start winding around the condos at New Park. It is the longest mile ever as the road is very windy. You know you are close, but you can't see the finish. Every turn you hope to see it and are disappointed until it shows up in front of you!

 

Finally finishing! (Photo by Terry Schmidt)

Donna Finishing! (Photo by Marci Jenks)

 

As I came through the finish line I saw my friend and co-worker Laura and her husband Terry, cheering me on as they did last year! If you follow my blog, you may remember that last year Laura was pregnant and went into labor while at the Marathon! This year Terry ran the half with their daughter Violet! Happy 1st Birthday sweet girl!

Laura, Violet and I at the finish! (Photo by Terry Schmidt)

 

Now I do have to give SUPER mad props and THANKS to Teresa Baker! Not only is her hospitality top notch, I was joking with her and Marci that since they were running the half, that I expected a cold Diet Coke to be waiting for me at the finish. Right as I crossed the finish line (and I mean right after, I didn't even have my medal yet), I saw Teresa's arm shoot over the barricade with a 32oz cup of heaven!! I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD!!!!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!

 

As we watched other runners come in we saw our friends Sue Mantyla (who won her age group), Sandy Straley (who got 2nd), Galen Garrison and others!

 

Maniacs at the Finish! (Photo by Teresa Baker)



 

After the race we headed back to Teresa's condo and put on our swimsuits for a quick dip in the pool before heading home.

 

As much as the Park City Marathon kicks my butt, I sure have a great time with my friends when I run it!

Since Park City is known as an artist community (you can see quite a few works of art along the course), each medal is made by hand by a local glass artist.

 

 

The Jupiter Peak Steeple Chase!

Website description: "An endurance race for the trail warrior. This event is a long time Park City tradition, a 16-mile +/- trail running loop on challenging single track trail with 3,000′ of elevation gain."

 

One would have thought that the description alone would have been enough to detour me from doing this race, but since it wasn't even a full marathon and it was the first race of the Triple Trail Challenge, I had to do it! In fact, I was looking forward to it! I was not prepared for the pain I would endure.

Elevation Chart for the Jupiter Peak Steeple Chase

 

It all started out fine and dandy. Our Maniac crew all met at the start ready to conquer.

Utah Maniacs! Kim, Sue, Me, Kat, Galen, Earl and Bob before we were bloody, blistered and chaffed!

 

The race started about 8:15am, so there was plenty of time to check in, check out our jackets (that we would be receiving upon completing the Triple Trail Challenge), and use the potty before the race.

 

Once the race started we took of up the steep and rocky trail. I went about 400 meters and was already feeling tired! I knew it was a long way up, so I started hiking rather than running. Stronger runners in front of me and behind me were doing the same, so I didn't feel too much like a slacker.  

 

As we went along, I started getting concerned about the time limit. You had to make it to the 6.5 mile aid station in 2 hours, or you would be turned around. This seemed like it would be easy, but hiking is different than running especially when you are climbing a freaking mountain!

 

As the time ticked away, we saw the first place male come sprinting down the mountain! How in the world did he get up the mountain so fast? How is he running so fast down the mountain with all the rocks and roots on the trail? He was going so fast, if he fell, there would be serious consequences!

 

With 10 minutes to spare, I was so glad to see the 6.5 mile aid station. Then I saw Jupiter Peak and I wanted to cry! Now the really steep part of the peak is not that long (maybe a 1/2 mile), but the loose rocks and my fear of heights made my heart rate skyrocket.

 

I tried to keep my head down as looking up made me dizzy and looking back made me dizzy. I just put one foot in front of the other and held on to rocks as I went up. I should have looked up a little though because before I knew it, the ladies behind me were yelling to me that I was off course! Ugh! Luckily, I was able to get back on the trail (if that's what you want to call it).

 

About half way to the top of Jupiter Peak! This photo does it no justice! It was steep and scary!

Thank goodness for these ladies! Without them, I would have been way off course!

 

I was so happy to finally get to the top! My legs were on fire and my heart was about to jump out of my chest!

 

Earl and I ringing the bell at the top of Jupiter Peak!



 

Once we got to the top, I knew we had one more climb to do (thanks to Teresa for the warning). We ran down the peak only to climb another. This peak was not as steep or rocky so it was manageable, until a few of us missed a turn on the trail and got a little off course again. Luckily again we figured it out early enough that we didn't have to do too much backtracking. When we went back, we all laughed at the HUGE blue arrow on the ground, wondering how all of us missed it. We got back on track and finally hit the other peak. Now it was time to make up some time and book it down the mountain... or so I thought.

 

I thought going up the mountain was going to be the hard part. I was not ready for what came with running down! The really steep parts left me shuffling and praying I would not trip (I would eventually trip 3 times, but through the grace of God I did not fall). The not so steep parts were rocky and rutted so the trail was like running in the bottom of a "V". Even wearing my Hokas, my feet and ankles were taking a beating. 

 

The first time I twisted my ankle really bad, I got a little nervous and slowed way down. By the time I did it the fourth time, I was petrified to run. I just wanted to get off the trail before I broke a bone or worse. My head got the best of me. Not to mention, my Camelback was not tight enough on me and the bouncing chaffed my back up so bad, I had to stop at the aid station to ask them to bandage it up!

 

I could also feel the pain of the two HUGE blisters that had formed on my big toes, so putting pressure on them while running down hill was torture! I was ready to be done.

 

When I could see the parking lot from the trail, I was happy. I just needed to make it off the trail. It was kind of a surprise when I stepped off the trail onto a paved road. I looked up and saw the finish line about 200 meters away and I was so happy!

 

When I crossed the line, all my friends were there cheering as I stumbled over to sit down. I was a little glad to see that I was not the only one who had a tough race! Kim, Sue and Bob all took pretty nasty spills and were all bandaged up.

Galen, Sue and I getting ready to leave.

 

After a little relaxing we headed off to find our cars. As Sue and I have no sense of direction, we followed Galen, but Galen wasn't sure how to get to the parking lot either! We must have looked a sight as a nice lady pulled up and asked us if we needed a ride. We said "YES PLEASE!" and jumped in her car. Runners are just the BEST! We made it to our cars and headed home, though not before stopping for lunch! Galen and I stopped for lunch at the No Worries Cafe- thanks for the recommendation Teresa!

 

 

I usually say a race was fun, even if I have a bad day, but this was not fun! Only because I am still suffering from it. I might think it was fun after I heal, but for now, the Jupiter Peak Steeple Chase is a one and done for me! Lord help me make it through the Mid Mountain Marathon! :-)

 

 

WARNING!! IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE MY BATTLE WOUNDS, STOP READING NOW! Here are my souvenirs from the Jupiter Peak Steeple Chase:

 

Most painful blister EVER!

Not as Painful but huge!

Combine sunburn with what feels like someone took a cheese grater to my back and that is what you have here!