Each Day Is a Gift

Picked up Karen at 7am for our long drive to Phoenix.  We took the alternate route because SR89 north of Paige was closed.  Got off I-15 onto 89A at Togaville > Apple Valley > Fredonia > Jacob Lake > Flagstaff > Phoenix.  Total time on the road was 11+ hours. 

We had a nice drive under clear blue sky, very little traffic, a very scenic route through sandstone red cliffs, pine forest, and national parks, wonderful visit with Karen and listened to the 2012 New Mission President Seminar CDs. 

Called David when we're about an hour outside of Phoenix.  Luckily he was just getting off work (clinical) from the hospital and met us at TGIF on Happy Valley Dr., northeast of Phoenix for dinner.  It was so good to see him. 

Then we took the 101 loop to packet pick up.  Got there with half hour before they close.  Checked in the hotel around 9pm.  We were SO tired!!!  Took a Tylenol PM and set the alarm for 3:30am.

Woke up 2-3 times thru the night and finally got up at 3:15, showered, dressed, drank EmergenC and ate a banana.  Karen had a restless night as well.  Hubby gave me a blessing in which it says I would be able to push through the pain that would come.  (Wait!!!  PAIN?!?!  Push through?!  This is supposed to be a long run with hundreds of friends, not a race!!!  Pain should not be in the equation! :)  We confidently told hubby, Gary and David we will finish under 5 hours! :)

At 4:15 we went to pick up the breakfast-to-go-bag (orange, energy bar, danish) provided by the hotel for marathoners and rode the hotel shuttle van to the bus pick up.  I ate the danish with cup of oj in the van.  Ate the Greek yogurt I brought on the bus ride.  My body was still under the influence of the TylenolPM...so groggy!  Karen and I asked ourselves why do we do this, why do we not just do the Half.. we'd finish way before lunch, go swimming, shopping, movie and night out on the town!  Haha!!! :)

Got to the start around 5ish.  Rhett spotted me as we walked past him and his friend, Jeff sitting by a kerosene heater.  SO SO SO happy to see him!  :)  We chatted a little bit and got separated at the pop lines.  I kept an eye out for BeMo and AmyG but never saw them. :(

All the snacking on the drive yesterday, lunch and humongous dinner last night came back to bite me.  Karen and I made 3 pop trips before the race started in pitch darkness.  They had fireworks display (like a 4th of July celebration) after the National Anthem then everyone walked to the start.  I shed my 2 light fleece, long pants for the drop bag; and kept the gloves and arm warmers (that were part of the race swag) as the temp was a bit cool, probably high 40s.

The race started on time at 6:30.  We crossed the mat about 2 min. after gun time marching with the 4:40 pace group.  The first 4 miles were downhill from Usery Mountain on newly paved road in the dark under a bright half moon.  Caught up with the 4:25 pace group.  The pacer was on our bus...he was not very talkative...other than announcing his time and pace just before every aid station...he did not speak one word.  I had fun talking to fellow runners.  Mile 6 was uphill in a very nice neighborhood.  The hill didn't seem to be as bad as what the elevation chart shows.  We kept a steady effort.  The spectators were enthusiastic and fun...told us it's all downhill to the finish!  :) 

I have never seen such majestic cactus up close.  They have got to be 100 years old.  It is awesome!  I love the scenery and beautiful homes.  Took a gu at mile 7.  We walked through every aid station, stopped and waited for the pop at mile 11.  After each aid station, we'd slowly caught back up with the 4:25 pace group.  Each time we caught up to them, we'd stir up the conversations again.  The pacer would say:"There you are!  Wonder where you've been!"  We made friends with Terry (the smooth glider gal),  Judy (the foxy Teena-look-alike), Mike (the steady trotter), 4 girls/gals wearing identical shirts with the message:  Some wish...some want....some MAKE it happen,  a lady I dubbed Ms Punctual (her shirt says ON TIME), a guy with the shirt (No Speed Limit), several sets of sisters wearing identical outfits,  Mr. India, and finally Mr. Aussie (the Marathon Man) who was wearing a shiny blue unitard with a red cape and a "M" shaped like "Super Man" logo in front.  The middle of the pack was a lively bunch.  :)

I think we got to the half in 2:13 and everything felt great.  The course had a lot of turns so sometimes we'd get a nice welcomed breeze because it was getting really warm with the sun beating down on us and NO shade.  Running past a grove of orange trees was lovely.  The spectators were awesome...the same groups of families cheering over and over including Choo Baka and Princess Leah...girls with pomp pomps...mothers with pots and pans...lots of great posters.  I also saw two bottles on the road discarded by elite runners and a blue sponge (wondering if they belonged to Jake Krong). 

We were able to stay with the 4:25 group (they started 2 min before us) and were on target for 4:30 until mile 20.  At the mile 19 aid station I took a Gu, 2 salt caps and 2 ibuprofen.  My shins started to cramp.  It was getting really hot, my wheels were falling off.  Karen was so good to me.  She patiently, cheerfully, kindly stayed with me every step of the way, talked to me with positive stories and encouragement.  We even sang "Called to Serve".  Her legs would threaten to cramp when we slowed too much so she'd say:  "just keep moving, just keep moving."  I felt like I was running, but really just shuffling in pain with every step.  I did not look at my Garmin except when it beeped at the mile lap.  Karen encouraged me to keep moving:  "We can walk when we get to the aid station.  Larry will be there at the finish.  David will be so proud of you.  The missionaries have to learn to get along with their companions...but you get to cuddle with yours every night! :) :) :)"  What a great friend, good influence and blessing Karen is in my life! :) She refused to leave me.  She stopped to use the pop at mile 24 and told me to keep going and she quickly caught back up to me.  The last mile was slight downhill which was great and we saw hubby at the corner with half mile to go.  He ran us in telling us all the wonderful food waiting for us at the finish.

Karen and I felt like a million bucks with the spectators cheering loudly on both sides of the shute and the announcer said our names as we ran cross the finish together. :) :) :)

They have so much food provided by vendors at the finish, chicken, fish taco, protein drinks, otter pops, breads and baked goods, energy drinks, chips, fruits, snack cups.  There's a huge tent with PT, people to wrap your legs in ice bags and ice water kiddy pool to take care of your legs and feet plus a massage tent.  Outside of the recovery area are food vendors who offer free chicken, fish taco, hot dogs, pop corn for spectators.  Needless to say we did not need to go to restaurant for lunch. 

We heard and saw MelodyJ (Runningafterbabies) went up to the podium as 2nd place overall women as we headed to the clothing retrieval.  I clapped and cheered but I don't think she heard me! :)

I think this is a very well run/organized inaugural marathon, great support, race shirt, swag, medal, food, finish line festivities, etc.  The only thing I did not like about the course is the many turns and scary crossings at major road intersections.  The police did a wonderful job controlling the traffic which was rather heavy on a busy Saturday morning in these Mesa roads with many retail stores and restaurants.  The motorists were very patient however but I heard there was still a fender bender accident.  Finishing temp was in the 80s (my car said 86 when driving back to the hotel) and with no shade to be found, it was a scorcher.  Other than that, I had a lot of fun! 

After showering, we took an "ice bath" in the hotel's outdoor pool (the heater was broken so the water was rather cold).  Then we laid out under the AZ sun for some VitD therapy.  There were quite a few guys from UT at the pool and we had a nice visit! :)

Side note:  my daughter was running the Woodlands Half Marathon the same morning in Texas and we were thinking about her during our first half.  She finished in 1:51 for her first half marathon!  I am so proud of her!  :) :) :)

Nice long drive home from Mesa.  Stopped in Flagstaff to attend the 10am sacrament meeting of the YSA Ward right off the freeway by Northern Arizona U.  Enjoyed very much the spirit of the meeting.

got to drive thru the National Parks to Jacob Lake to Fredonia.  Karen drove from there to Beaver then hubby drove the rest of the way.  Very scenic and enjoyable Sunday drive listening to he 2012 New MP Seminar CDs all afternoon.  :)

 6 weeks to Boston, 109 days to MTC!!! :) :) :)

Aftermath of Phoenix Marathon...stiff sore quads...evidence of zero downhill training this winter.  So NO running.  Swam 23 laps freestyle and backstroke.

Went to eye doctor.  He sold me the most expensive pair of glasses in the store! :)

Legs still a little sore.  Walked 2 miles on the track then swam 21 laps freestyle/backstroke and lingered longer in the jacuzzi.

Studied, read, watched videos from our personal pre-seminar web account.  We are now 19% complete! :)

Got a chirpy text from Karen inviting me and Wendy to run outside with her.  Karen ran!!!  She had NO soreness!!!  Her heel is better!!!  WOW!!!  I jogged/walked/whined the whole way...but I think Wendy didn't mind.  It's been a LONG time since the three of us ran together.  It was a beautiful day, cold (30s) but partly sunny!  :)

Poor hubby had to be on clear liquid diet and prep for tomorrow's colonoscopy.

Babysat Skylar in the afternoon.

No time to exercise today.  Took hubby to AF Hospital for the procedure.  Sad thing is he has to go back again sometime after the doctors consult and give us instructions...o well.  While waiting in the hospital, I read chapter 3 of PMG and all the pamphlets.

Babysat Skylar so her parents can go out to celebrate her mommy's birthday.  

So so so tired when Karen texted me this morning.  I would've stayed in bed if she hadn't invited me to run with her to Mtn. Ridge JrH.  She even brought a Gu for me to take when we reached the Jr High.  Everything was sluggish, my breathing, my legs.  I felt like a big glob of lard pretending to run! :)  Karen, on the other hand, is so positive, patient, kind and enthusiastic. 

Met with our tutor for session 2.  We got to teach a 20 min lesson (the Restoration) to him.  I really like these tutoring sessions, very helpful.  I am learning so much.  We are now 29% complete with our pre-Seminar MTC preparation.

Tonight we are speaking in our Stake's mini MTC fireside and conference which is held for the youth (juniors and seniors in HS) tonight and tomorrow to help them have a small MTC experience. 

Got my new eyeglasses...now I can see/read better! :)

FIVE WEEKS TO BOSTON!!! 103  102 days to MTC!!! :) Hubby has a sore and swollen ankle, same occurrence after a hard moguls day, or bball with the boys, or push too much on a run! So no exercise and lots of ice/heat therapy and elevation today. It usually takes about a week or two for it to heal. Karen's PF is bothering her. So strike two :(. But luckily Wendy didn't mind running a slow easy 6 miler with me on the west portion of the Murdock Canal Trail :) :) :)

We attended Session 5 of the pre-seminar training at the Provo MTC with other newly called mission presidents and wives.  We learned that:  To effectively accomplish their purpose, missionaries need to use wisely the sacred resource of time given them by their Heavenly Father.  We teach and help them clearly understand the process of goal setting, planning and reporting.  Setting goals can help them exercise faith and focus their efforts.  

Easy conversational run with Karen and Wendy on Murdock Canal Trail.  Gorgeous day!

Wendy, Diane and I drove to Magna to take our 85 yo former neighbor/friend to lunch to celebrate her b'day.  What a great lady she is! :)  We drove home on the road that was part of the SoJo Marathon just outside of Copperton to Heriman and onto Mtn View Corridor.  I can't believe I ran on those roads! :)  

Had a most wonderful, special conference/meeting via conference call with Elder Zwick.  There were 8 of us new mission presidents/couples from as far as Riyah Saudi Arabia, Anchorage Alaska, Australia, New Zealand on the same conference call.  The marvel of modern day technology.  We were well fed spiritually.  We could feel the great love and charity Elder Zwick has for each of us and what great witness and power he radiated (even through the telephone)  Cannot wait to meet with him in person in June.  Our IFR, Elder Bertasso also offered many words of comfort and reassurance.  We feel so very grateful and humbled to be part of this marvelous work in this historical time of the Church.  :) 

Ran with Karen (Sky) down 3rd West, up on rail trail, up on Murdock Canal trail.  It was a beautiful day aside from the smell of open field burns; sure sign that Spring is here...oh, and skunk too, p-ew! :) 

Swam 21 laps.

Temple.  Lunch at temple cafeteria.  :)

Study and prep.  Tutoring session #3.  :)

Numerous phone calls.

Movie and dinner date.  :)

A wonderful wonderful beautiful run on the JRP with Karen, Toby and Collette.  I just love running with them, awesome friends, great chats, gorgeous weather.  Saw migrating ducks, Canadian geese, baby calves with their mother-cows and lots of runners, cyclists, fishermen and hunters!  :) :) :) 

After Toby and Collete left, Karen and I ran 2 more miles up north.  I had forgotten how hilly the north portion was plus a strong head wind; but it was nice when we turned around back to the car.  I had not worn my Garmin since PHX marathon two weeks ago.  I wore it today just for mileage reference.  I did not look at it once wearing it under my jacket's sleeves.  I finally looked at it at the end of the run.  It showed I've run 1.25 feet in 29:19.  How could that be?  What a silly watch!  :)  Thank goodness Karen kept track with hers. I've decided that I don't need to run with Garmin or watch any more as long as I have a warm body friend to run with!  :)

Our mission photo and bio is published in today's Church News!  I think I did a pretty good job taking the photo with my own camera's self-timer device in the privacy of our home and only on 4th take!  :)

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/63324/New-mission-presidents.html

Prez. and I got to speak to the youth tonight in our ward's bishop fireside.  We literally watch these kids grow up.  It is so wonderful to see the goodness shine through their countenance.  They are truly a bright and wonderful generation, so prepared for "a time such as this".  :) :) :) 

Felt a bit sluggish and tight when I woke up this morning...wasn't sure if I wanted to run so I texted my girl friends to see if they're up for a run.  I was surprised that they were both enthusiastic.  Without prior plan, we turned it into a serendipity run.  Sky was cloudy but calm and slightly on the cold side. :)

We ran up on the Murdock canal trail via Center St. then eastward into Highland.  There were trail signs showing mileage and direction to various parks and trail heads at most intersections.   The trail "dead end" on the east side of the tunnel under the Alpine Hwy so we followed the sign pointing to the direction for Provo River Parkway and ran on the road northward.  We didn't turn east at the next sign, because we did not carry water and were getting very thirsty.  So we continued north till we hit the road to Mtn. Ridge Jr. High where we went inside to drink from the drinking fountain.  We ran on the Highland trail and connect back onto the Murdock Canal Trail.  I had to walk up the steepest portion.  We also stopped a couple times for Wendy to "put up" her feet.  This is her longest run since our 6.5 miler last week. 

I was starving and thirsty when I got home! :) 

Hubby and I did companion study on chapter 5 of PMG!  I am loving our study time together! :) :) :)

AM:  Easy run with Karen and Wendy on a very nice morning.  Lower shins complained a little.

Swam 11 laps (freestyle and backstroke).

Evening:  Yoga class.  Ahhh!!! :)

Another run on canal trail west with Wendy, Karen (Sky).  It sure has taken me a long time to warm up these days...but I suppressed the urge to walk on the uphill.  :)

Ordered a new pair of shoes, Inspire 9!  :)

VT in the morning!  bazillion stuff in the afternoon!  Chamber Orchestra concert in the evening/night!  Gave hubby his first Enoxaparin after taking his INR.  Crazy busy day = no exercise! :/

Got up at 4am before the alarm.  Karen came to pick me up at 5:15 to meet Toby who has already run 8 miles earlier (what awesome inspiring dedication!!!), changed and was waiting for us.  :)  Collette joined us at the corner of the street...us giggling foursome on the dark streets of AF! :)  Hope I didn't wake Toby's neighbors with my enthusiasm! :)

My fingers were frozen holding a flash light in one hand and a hand-held bottle in the other.  Could hardly keep up with the girls especially up temple hill! :)  Very grateful that they were so kind to stay close because I had no headlamp and was scared to death of tripping!  We were extremely grateful for NO wind! :) :) :)

We ran west on 700N > 500E > Art Dyke Park and joined up on the Murdock Canal Trail > east thru Highland, Cedar Hills, Pleasant Grove and Manila.  Very little traffic on the road and we were alone in complete darkness on the trail...peaceful.  We ran under the tunnel access onto Canyon Rd then west on 700N (AF) to east side of Temple hill.  By then the morning traffic got heavy with dawn breaking and we had to run single-file. 

Toby's hubby was waiting with a smile as we finished our 7.5 mile loop.  He offered to let us shower, eat, nap! :)  I took a rain check on the nap and shower but did eat a banana and used the bathroom, quickly said goodbye to Toby then headed out for more miles. 

Karen and I decided to run further south and west of the previous loop to add more miles and avoid the steep Temple hills.  We ran south onto 300N > 400 E > 700N to west of Fox Hollow Golf Course.  That was the only bad part of the whole run because we encountered very very heavy high school traffic and my fingers were still frozen.  :)

My daughter called as we were running north on the Alpine Hwy and east to Highland Glen Park.  We talked during those couple miles so I was jogging very slowly.  My fingers were very frozen so we said goodbye, then I took a Gu.  We got onto the Murdock Canal Trail which we ran earlier in the dark.  It's nice to be able to see the trail and recognize where we're at.

Karen was calculating the distance/mileage to determin where we should run or turn around to get back to Toby's (where her car is parked) to make a total of 18 miles.  I had this brilliant idea that instead of turning around we should keep going on the Murdock Canal Trail past where the 4 of us had gotten off earlier at Canyon Rd. and continue on the bench above Manila.  Boy, were we glad we did!  Other than the little section off of the tunnel from Canyon Rd, we discovered the entire trail is paved!!!!  We ran south on the canal trail overlooking the valley and Utah Lake.  It was beautiful!!!!  If we had more time, we would've kept going (the trail eventually meets up at the mouth of Provo Canyon, Provo River Trail). 

We hiked down through an open area of the hillside onto the east end of Murdock Dr which turns into 1800N.  We ran straight west on 1800N and soon hit school traffic by Manilla Elementary.  We could see the temple just slightly northwest which means we're not that far from our "finish".  My legs were trashed but OH SO HAPPY!!!  Had not planned on 19.5 miles but would've gone for 20 if we had time.  We stretched for 5 or so min. then drove home in a jiff. 

So grateful for Toby inviting us to run early.  A blowing snow storm hit us just as we reached SR 92 driving home.  What a gift this run was with perfect weather and awesome company!  THANK YOU Toby and Karen!!!

For this run I ate 2 bananas, 1 gu and 32 oz of fluid.  Not bad considered all I had was a kid's meal at Chic-Fil-A at 4pm the day before! :)

Home in time to give hubby the Enoxaparin. Quick shower then shopping at Costco.  Taught lesson 5 of fundamental of PMG to our tutor.   Then had a wonderful dinner party with our friends!  :) :) :)

Swam 13 laps.  Visited grandma.  Shopped for mission clothes. :}

Right hip has a little niggle every time I get up from a sitting position.  Shins are a little sore.  Tapering (for Boston) should help.  :)

Got hubby settled in the hospital, went home and got in a run at noon on the Murdock Canal Trail.  Saw ScottK on his lunch run when I stopped to shed my jacket.  Very cool to meet the famous speedy ScottK in person! :) 

Felt really good about this impromptu solo run, AP: 9:12.  2 miles wu, 5 miles tempo (8:46, 9:20[incline], 8:47, 8:33, 8:25) 0.25 mile cd.  I have not done any tempo run for over a year.  The last time I ran anything in the 8s was at Spectrum 10K last year (6 weeks post stress fracture).  I have forgotten how good it feels to run faster.   I know most people would consider these slow jogging pace.  But, for me, it's a bit out of my comfort zone.  Indeed each run is a gift and I'm so very grateful for this!  :) :) :)

Happy Monday all!!!

PM: Test out new shoes on the mill...then rushed back to hospital.

Rough night. Tough morning. Made it back home for noon run with Karen and Wendy on the Murdock Canal trail.

At the hospital from 7am - 10:30pm. Lots of watch and wait, some studying done!

Packed running shoes and clothes in hopes of sneaking in a run near the hospital....didn't happen! But, finally convinced the doctors that we can do the wait and watch at home just as well. So at 4pm when the last drop of Heparin and NS went in, we DC the IV and was discharged to go home. Funniest thing happen while walking down the hall and out to the car! :)

SO SO SO HAPPY to be home! Gave hubby the Enoxparin at 6pm.

I was SO looking forward to this run. Got up early and gave hubby the Enoxaparin at 5:55 am then drove away under a bright moon. Met Toby, Collette and RAD at 6:15 on the JRP. :) I was super sluggish, tired and the breathing was labored (allergy?). So grateful to have these wonderful girls to run with, they sure made the miles flew by! I really treasure these runs with such great friends! :)

We ran south to the lake, gu'd and pit stop then turned around. What a beautiful day, a bit chilly the first 10K but warmed up nicely by the time we reached the car at mile 11 where we said goodbye to RAD and Collette. Called hubby to make sure everything's alright. Ran with Toby northward for 4 more. Bid Toby goodbye back at the car and she ran south by herself with her tunes for few more miles. THANK YOU Toby, RAD and Collette for a beautiful run! :)