Each Day Is a Gift

May 2012

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Location:

UT,

Member Since:

Oct 14, 2008

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Age Division Winner

Running Accomplishments:

85 marathons, 5 times Utah Grand Slam finisher (division winner twice).

7 Bostons (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016).

Two 50Ks, one 50 miler (Pony Express).

A handful of AG wins in all distance races.

Marathon PR: 3:57:09 (Boston'08)

Half Marathon PR: 1:48:41 (Bryce Canyon '11)

10K PR: 47:50 (Spectrum 10K '09)

5K PR: 22:31 (Nestle 5K '08)
 

Short-Term Running Goals:

2017 Races:

June 10 - Utah Valley Marathon (5:13:43)

June 24 - Morgan Valley Marathon (5:49:01)

July 8 - Hobbler Half (2:19:37, 2nd AG)

July 24 - Temple to Temple 5K (27:43)

July 29 - Timp Half (2:08:01, 3rd AG)

Aug 26 - Mt. Nebo Marathon (5:16:16, 3rd AG)

Sep 16 - Huntsville Marathon (4:48:53)

Oct 7 - St. Geroge Marathon (4:57:11)

Nov 4 - Canyon City Marathon (5:30:07)

2018 Races:

Jan 13 - St. George Half (2:19:45, 3rd AG)

Mar 3 - The Woodlands Marathon (5:01:35)

Apr 6-7 - Ragnar So. California

June 1-2 - Ragnar Wasatch Back

June 9 - Utah Valley Marathon (5:19:22)

June 30 - Morgan Valley Half

Sep 1 - Pocatello Marathon (6:00:43)

Sep 15 - Huntsville Marathon (5:37:08)

Oct 6 - St. George Marathon (5:25:43)

Oct 20 - SoJo Marathon (5:29:23)

2019 Races:

June 1 - Utah Valley Marathon (5:44:24)

June 22 - Morgan Valley Marathon (6:15:13)

Aug 31 - Pocatello Marathon (5:38:47)

Sep 14 - Big Cottonwood Marathon (6:03:51)

Oct 5 - St. George Marathon (5:57:46)

Oct 12 - SoJo Marathon (5:55:45)

2020 Races:

Jan 18 - St. George Half (2:38:28)

Feb 15 - Sun Marathon (5:51:54)

May 5 - Conquer Covid-19 Virtual Marathon (5:49:07)

May 16 - Clear Creek Canyon Half Marathon (2:32:15)

May 25 - Utah Valley Virtual Marathon (5:33:110

June 9 - Independence Run Virtual Marathon (5:55:22)

 

Long-Term Running Goals:

Run happy and healthy all the days of my life. Be an example and inspiration to my family.

 

Personal:

I'm 64, retired RN, happily married, nana to 14 beautiful grandchildren, mother to 6 children (1 daughter, 5 sons) who are kind, hardworking, caring, wonderful people! Wish they live closer!!!  :)  :)  :)

Picked up running in 2005 at age 50, to stay healthy so I can take care of my husband who had endocarditis resulting in AVR and MVR in 2004, end stage renal failure in 2014, kidney transplant on Dec 30, 2015.  Six months after the kidney transplant, we discovered that he has a rare auto-immune disease that was probably triggered in 2004 with then the undiagnosed infective endocarditis.  The doctors had to make up a name for this rare disease, Monoclono Gammopathy with Renal Significance (MGRS).  It is not curable.  After desperately trying different chemotherapies, the doctor finally found one immuno-therapy, Daratumamab, that works to treat the MGRS.  It is a miracle!!! 

Grateful for the gift of life, blessings, dear friends and loved ones!!! Thankful for the ability to move, walk, jog, and yes run!!!!

 

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Saucony Guide ISO Wide Lifetime Miles: 311.91
Saucony Guide ISO Lifetime Miles: 313.31
Sacony Guide ISO (2) Lifetime Miles: 225.26
Altra Torin (sz 7) Lifetime Miles: 44.49
Saucony Guide 10 (2020) Lifetime Miles: 60.91
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
89.0019.502.002.00112.50
Saucony Kinvara 2 (pink) Miles: 15.00Elixir 5 (charcoal 3) Miles: 22.75Elixir (ski Patrol) Miles: 42.25Elixir 6 (hot Pink) Miles: 33.00
Night Sleep Time: 86.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 86.50Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
3.502.500.002.008.00

:) :) :) NEW MONTH!!!!  NEW ATTITUDE!!! :) :) :)

2 weeks post Boston, 11 weeks+3 days post stress fracture.  I think my running mojo hit rock bottom on Sat.  It was very discouraging when I couldn't hit marathon pace.  Enough of that!!!  It's time to move forward!!!  Goal today is to see where I'm at with a handful of 800s intervals.  Felt good during the run.  But have a LOT of work to do to get my fitness back to where it needs to be.

2.5 mile warm up (AP: 9:40). 

4x800 @ 5Kpace with 400 RI.  (4:01 [3:10], 3:58 [2:10], 3:54 [2:19], 3:51 [2:05] )

2.5 mi cool down at mp.

8 mi in 1:09:40 (sped up a little bit at the end to go under 70 min) AP: 8:42.

LOVE the Kinvara2.  Will wear them for the next speedwork. 

Myrtle (10 reps)

5 circuits CSE.


Saucony Kinvara 2 (pink) Miles: 8.00
Night Sleep Time: 6.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(8)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.250.000.000.008.25

Very very very windy run with Karen (Sky), Carolyn and Wendy to Mtn. Ridge JH via SR92 and back via 1200E.  The in-your-face wind made breathing difficult.  Had to walk up the 12th E hill as I had neither lungs nor legs power!  Was fun catching up with everyone's happenings.  :)

Elixir 5 (charcoal 3) Miles: 8.25
Night Sleep Time: 6.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.50Weight: 0.00
Comments(9)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
7.250.000.000.007.25

Easy run with  KWC on the rail trail.  It was very very very windy AGAIN!  Karen made me go home to take my inhaler!  Said she'd tell Teena if I don't! :)  We pressed on as best as we could on the 3200N hill and nearly passed out from the mink farm stench at the top! :)

Worked all afternoon clearing weeds, tree branches, debris by south side of the shed.   Love the way hubby and I are transforming our yard into a park! :)  Tomorrow we'll cut down some more pine tree branches, dismantle a magbie nest before going to the temple!

Elixir (ski Patrol) Miles: 7.25
Night Sleep Time: 6.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(7)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
3.000.500.000.003.50

Windy again...not as bad as the other day though!  Busy day, only had time to do a quick run which turned into a progression run.  The first mile was AWFULLY slow.  (11:08, 9:34, 9:10, 8:55) 

More yard work, passport pix/application, home depot, temple.  The BEST part of the day is visiting a neighbor with terminal cancer...always come away feeling uplifted; receiving more than I could ever give! :)

Elixir (ski Patrol) Miles: 3.50
Night Sleep Time: 6.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
16.000.000.000.0016.00

 A VERY LONG (as in time, not distance), COLD, WINDY run!!!

The longest Carolyn had ever run was 14 miles which we did a few weeks ago on the JRP.  She and Wendy needed a 17 miler today.  They are both training for UVM which will be Carolyn's first ever marathon.  So I agreed to run with them starting at 6am.  Got a text late last night that Carolyn couldn't go because her daughter is in the hospital.  So Wendy suggested that we either run with her on Mon. or start at 7am instead of 6am this morning.  Either of us has spoken to Carolyn so not knowing if she could even run on Mon. we decided to run long today.

Got waken up by the howling hurricane force wind!  One of the trees lost some branches.  Wendy texted me at 6:20am and asked if we should bag the run.  I was so tired from not getting any sleep that I agreed and may be we should go up to the hospital in SL and visit Carolyn's daughter instead.   At 8am, the wind subsided a little, I called Wendy (who must've gone back to bed).  We called the hospital, no one answered from the room, so I made the executive decision to go run.  It was 9:05 by the time we started our run and the wind was 25mph coming from the NNW. 

It was a miserable run.  We didn't carry any water.  The wind whipped us to death.  We ran to Alpine with a stop at the park for water and ate energy chews (mile 5 and 9) Between my asthma (walk breaks on the uphills) and Wendy's bilateral neuromas (stopping to put up the feet) our average pace was 11:04.  Aside from the miserable condition, we had a good chat (when the wind wasn't howling too loudly).  So very happy that one of her daughters is getting married.  This will be the first wedding of her children.  :) :) :)

It was 12:30 by the time we got home!!!  Quickly washed my face, changed clothes and brushed the debri off my hair before heading to the church for my 1pm church cleaning assignment.  I made hubby come with me...due to the fathers and sons campout, there were no men/boys to help.  After we got home, I helped hubby cleared the dead bushes and mulched the front flower bed.

On the way down to PG for Kelly and JonA's daughter's wedding reception, I realized I had not had lunch.  (Was more tired than hungry).  Only had oatmeal and banana before the run, one pack of chews during the run, one recovery bar and chocolate milk after the run.   Anyway, the fruit crepe at the wedding reception was SO DELICIOUS!!!  The reception was beautiful, the bride was gorgeous, Jon and Kelly looked WONDERFUL! :)

 

Elixir (ski Patrol) Miles: 16.00
Night Sleep Time: 4.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 4.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(2)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.000.000.000.008.00

FINALLY a run without hurricane force wind!!!! :) :) :)  Forgot to re-charge my Garmin after Saturday's run so ran "naked"!  Karen and I ran to the Highland cemetery and back.   Did not walk any uphills today!  YAY!!!

Elixir 5 (charcoal 3) Miles: 8.00
Night Sleep Time: 6.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(6)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.000.000.000.008.00

Beautiful day, sunny, calm, mid 40s.  Ran a new route today with KWC.  We ran up Traverse Mountain via 1200W on Tuscana Hills Dr. all the way up to the end of the development, about 520' elevation gain over 2 miles.  Gorgeous views of both counties and Utah Lake!!!!  I suppressed the urge to walk on the uphill, although Karen kicked my trash.  Am happy with my effort even though the pace was slow as tar!  I like this route.  Hope to run this regularly.  I LOVE living in this area...SO MANY wonderful trails and parkway within half mile to my house! :)

6 circuits of CSE.

Myrtle (10 reps).

Elixir (ski Patrol) Miles: 8.00
Night Sleep Time: 6.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.50Weight: 0.00
Comments(7)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
3.002.001.000.006.00

Beautiful beautiful day!!! :)  Cool calm sunny morning run with K(Sky)WC! on the bench loop. :)  Only had time for a quick run.  (9:49, 9:38, 9:38, 9:19, 9:01, 8:31)  Sky was the one dragging her tail today! :)  Ran into EmilyH who's looking fast and fit! :)  LOVE my new Elixir!!! :) :) :)

Elixir 6 (hot Pink) Miles: 6.50
Night Sleep Time: 6.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.50Weight: 0.00
Comments(7)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
3.004.000.000.007.00

Karen and I got out before the 40mph wind hit our neighborhood.  She didn't bring Sky who was really dragging yesterday.  I wanted to do some intervals on the track with my  Kinvara2.  We both agreed that may be we shouldn't do sw this close to the marathon.  So we put in some mp miles on the bench loop instead.  (9:00, 8:49, 8:46, 9:00, 9:10, 9:15)  Jogged/walked Karen home for cool down at 9:30.  The pace felt hard, more like HM pace.  I have a lot of work to do; but at least my breathing is better than a few weeks ago.  The Kinvara felt wonderful, however I need to ease into them because I could feel some twinges in my left arch on the cool down. 

Myrtle (10 reps)

5 circuits CSE

Off to the temple.

Saucony Kinvara 2 (pink) Miles: 7.00
Night Sleep Time: 6.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(9)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
2.500.000.000.002.50

2.5 happy miles with my sweet hubby! ♥♥  We ran the length of 3 power poles and walked for 2 power poles.  I'm SO proud of him!!!  He did this on his own two days ago.  His calves were sore yesterday; but this morning he was all good to go!  So I was excited to join him!  This is quite an accomplishment for him considering he had double heart valves replacement after a life-threatening endocarditis 7 years ago.   His legs felt great during and after the run! :) :) :) :)

Helped clean Mary's living and family room all day...took a WONDERFUL lunch break with some AWESOME friends.  Hubby treated me to a delicious dinner at Red Lobster!  This was as near a perfect day as I could ever ask for! :) :) :)

Elixir (ski Patrol) Miles: 2.50
Night Sleep Time: 7.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 7.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
5.004.001.000.0010.00

Couldn't fall asleep last night...may be from the big Red Lobster seafood dinner and 5 rich cheese biscuits...kept thinking about Mary...allergies bugging!  Anyway a restless night and bolted up from bed at 5:30, thinking I overslept...got up 15 min later when the alarm went off feeling SO tired!  Didn't eat breakfast...think my tummy was still full! :) Took Symbicort just in case as there're cotton blowing in the air.

Made it to Draper City Park on time at 6:45 even though I took the wrong Freeway Exit! :)  Ran with Slick, RAD and Karen.  Was freezing in my s/s top and shorts the first couple miles.  SO nice to chat with Slick the first 3 miles. :)  Took a Gu at the 5 mile turn around.  I hurried the pace a bit knowing Karen needed to be home by 9.  She was going to run only 8 miles, but gave into "peer pressure". :)  Karen and I were pushing it while RAD was talking away and breezing along like a walk in the park! :)  She's gonna do AWESOME at Ogden! :) :) :)

10 happy miles in 1:31:12, AP: 9:07 (9:36, 9:56, 9:29, 9:33, 9:35, 8:40, 8:53, 8:33, 8:33, 8:19)

Busy busy afternoon.  Asian Chamber of Commerce Gala in the evening! :)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY tomorrow to y'all wonderful ladies!!! ♡♡♡

Elixir 6 (hot Pink) Miles: 10.00
Night Sleep Time: 5.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 5.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(7)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

We had Grandma, Bryan, Chris, Alex, Jeff and Jenn over for a BBQ dinner.  Steven called from Taiwan right when we were all together.  We got to have a conference video chat with Larissa, Brandon, Jade, Lex, Luke and Jett in TX, Eric, Marianne, Emi and Devin in OH, and David in AZ all at once.   Everyone is doing so well, so happy and healthy!  What more can a mother ask for!!!!  Oh, we even got to skype with Lily in HK!  :) :) :)  A very happy day indeed! :)

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(2)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.000.500.000.006.50

Went to bed WAY WAY WAY TOO LATE...too much Mother's Day excitement and fun! :) :) :) :)  Had a choice between running early with Karen or later with Wendy and Carolyn...no brainer!  We ran leisurely on the bench loop.  So nice to hear about the good things (running and family happenings) over the weekend!  :) :) :)  Hubby did his own running and continued to improve!  Life is good! :)

Elixir 5 (charcoal 3) Miles: 6.50
Night Sleep Time: 5.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 5.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(9)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
1.006.000.000.007.00

Ran with Karen (Sky), Wendy, Carolyn southwest down 3rdW, north up Rail Trail, east up 3200N, Center to 2600N then around the 2700N small block.  Very warm and sunny.  Hope the temp drops back down on Sat.

Legs felt good, slight headache from allergies, cotton flying everywhere accompanied by the pungeon smell of Russian Olives giving me dry sore throat, itchy eyes and runny nose.  Aside from the allergy, the run was great!  Was going to run 2 miles at mp...ended up with 6...solid effort on the uphill. :) 7 mi in 1:02:18.  AP: 8:54 (9:21, 8:58, 8:41, 8:50, 8:57, 8:53, 8:35) Will take it easy tomorrow.

Hubby did his run/walk thing earlier by himself.  He was running the last 0.5 mile home when me and my girl friends were just heading out.  We got a kick out of watching him jogging behind this lady and not wanting to pass her even though I yelled out: "Don't let her chick you!  Go GET HER!!!" :)

Got to channel this taper madness energy...so I did housecleaning all day long!  Cleaned the downstairs windows and blinds.  Scrubbed and polished the boys oak dressers.  Washed all the beddings in the downstairs bedrooms.  Cleaned the guest bathrooms. Vacuumed the whole house in between doing laundry.  My arms are going to be sore! :)

Elixir 6 (hot Pink) Miles: 7.00
Night Sleep Time: 6.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(7)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
5.000.000.000.005.00

We (Wendy and Carolyn) got up early to beat the heat.  Ran a leisure 5 miles on the bench.  Lead legs.

Helped with yard work the rest of the morning under cloudy sky.  Went to my mother-in-law's to help her with some minor stuff.  Went to the Ward temple night in the evening....so so so so tired and sleepy.

I have got to go to bed earlier!

Elixir (ski Patrol) Miles: 5.00
Night Sleep Time: 5.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 5.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
4.000.000.000.004.00

I am so mad at myself right now!!!

I don't know what to do!!!!  I am hoping this is just a fluke!!! 

This morning I dragged my tired body out of bed trying to decide whether to rest or run the 4 recovery miles per plan.  All my running buddies were taking a rest day.  I decided to jog the 0.9 mile to Karen's house to give her some S-caps she may take on Sat.  I jogged on the sidewalk as there were lots of traffic coming from behind and there was no shoulder room on the other side of the road.  I felt some discomfort on my foot and dismissed it as running on concrete.  

After watching Karen showed me her new running outfits, I talked her into trying out the sleeveless top by going for a test run with me.  I felt clunky and lead legged.  Soon after the turn around at my mile 2, the discomfort on my foot became painful so we walked back to her house. 

We stood and visited with her neighbor after we got back to her house.  While standing, I rotated and stretched my foot and could feel the discomfort.  My attempt to run home was futile, I walked with pain the entire mile home.  Saw Wendy working in her yard as I limped by, I just broke down and cried when she asked me what's wrong!!!  :(  

The splits tell the sad story: 10:48, 10:35, 15:09, 21:25.  So so so so mad at my stupid foot!!! :(

Elixir 6 (hot Pink) Miles: 4.00
Night Sleep Time: 5.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 5.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(18)
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.00

Hubby went for a 0.5mile/2 telephone poles run/walk thing for 3 miles.  I wanted to do that with him so badly but there was noticeable tugging/niggling still on the foot so I decided against going.  Wanted to wear the boot to packet pick up; but hubby said it would be silly wearing the boot the day before the marathon.  So I wore my old running shoes and tried to walk normally.

Met Dale and Amy at the Expo at 1:30.  Had to pick up mine, Karen's, Gary's, Marcie's and Cindy's bibs/race packets.  Thankfully the lines were short except for the solution line where they had to give me Karen's bib # off the computer.  Bought two tech s/s running shirts for hubby. 

Could feel slight pain when I tried to run while crossing the road.  Not a good sign.  Stopped at Olive Garden for early dinner.  My feet were pretty tired by the time I got home to get the race gear ready.  Eric called and I told him about my foot pain.  He strongly advised me NOT to run the marathon.  Had a flurries of phone calls and text messages.

Took a Tylenol PM at 9.  Set my cell phone alarm for a 2:45 wake up.  My sis-in-law called me on my cell at 10.  Why did she do that?!?  Then she called my home phone to talk to my hubby.  Gary and grandma arrived shortly after.  Could not fall asleep feeling very anxious about the race, getting there on time to give everyone their packets and meeting for the bus ride.  The only good sign was the weather forecast looks to be perfect.


Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
5.500.000.000.005.50

Had a sleepless night.  Was awake before the alarm.  Got out of bed at 2:45 to get dressed.  Rotated the foot and felt some tugging, no pain.  My bro-in-law Gary came from Hong Kong, was so efficient...he got ready in 10 min.  Like me, had no sleep.  Feeling foggy minded, was glad that he drove his rental car to pick up Karen who drove us to the Ogden Marriott Hotel where we took the last available parking slot.  :)

The hotel lobby was buzzling with runners.  We used the bathroom there before leaving for the bus ride up with Maynard, Marcie, Charlie, Toby, RAD, Kelli, Scott, Annie, Karen and Gary.  Ate a breakfast of yogurt, the banana Chad gave me, half a Olive Garden bread stick (too garlicky) and Gatorade. 

It was so fun to hang out with the gang by some firewood pile.  Had enough time to do the pop twice.  The race started when we were still walking around the barb-wired fence after dropping off our bags.  Karen, Toby, Annie and I ran together.  The starting temp was reported to be 35F, calm and sunny.  My hands and feet were numb.  About a mile into the run, my feet finally thawed out and I immediately felt the pain on my right foot.  It felt as if it would shatter with every foot fall.  The pain became intense on the top of the foot.  I slowed down, Karen and Toby gradually pulled away while Annie stayed with me.  I kept telling her to go on ahead but she insisted that was a good pace for her. 

The pain was getting more intense and Annie suggested that I walk.  But the pain persisted whether I walk or run so I kept running.  Annie suggested that I take some ibuprofen which I did at the first aid station.   It did nothing to ease the pain.  At the next aid station (mile 5) I stopped to take a Gu and waited for the pop line while Annie went on ahead which I was very glad.  I did not want to anchor her down nor let my pain effect her negatively. 

After using the pop, the foot pain intensified even more when I started up the run.  I knew there's no way I could continue on.  I kept on running until about 0.5 mile later where I saw a bunch of motorcyle cops parked on the left side of the course blocking a side road.  I limped over there and told them that I might've broken my foot.  One of them said he was an EMT.  He picked me up to sit on the tail-gate of a truck.  He looked at my foot and said it did not appear to be broken.  He then dispatched the ambulance down the road for other EMTs to help me.  Melody (runningafterbabies) and her family or friends holding a "You are a Kenyan" sign happened to park behind the truck.  She recognized me and stopped to consul me.  That made me feel better.  Thanks Melody!

I started to shiver while sitting on the cold metal tail gate of the truck.  So I got off and tried to move around.  The elderly officer in the sheriff vehicle asked me to get in to keep warm.  He kindly offered his cell phone for me to call my hubby and told him where to drive up thru the canyon to meet me at the Dam.  The ambulance arrived and I told him I don't need to be checked. 

Surprisingly I felt complete calm being driven down to the Dam.  I could see the stream of runners on the other side of the reservoir.  The low-lying clouds, blue sky, pristine water, lush green mountains and pastures filled my otherwise sad heart with gratitude.  Had a nice chat with the officer who turned out to be the supervising sargent.  I could hear the CB radio communication reporting me as a 56 yo female with possible broken foot being transported to meet her husband.  It felt like eternity as we sat and waited in the vehicle at the junction of the dam where we watched the runners running by.

So exciting to see the leader and eventual winner, Fritz, running across the dam. :) Sargent Hadley explained that he was escorted by a motorcycle cop while about 800 m behind a group of walkers were followed by a motorcade as they were the last of the half-marathoners.  There was a huge gap between Fritz and the 2nd and 3rd guy. 

The traffic up the canyon was stopped and only groups of vehicles were allowed, escorted by traffic cops.  Luckily hubby was the last vehicle on the first group.  I tried really hard to hold back tears when I got in his car because his mother was sitting there.  She had come up to watch Gary run this marathon.   Hubby dropped me and my mother-in-law on the west side of the barricade 50 yards from the finish while he circled around for a parking spot. 

I stood on my good foot and cheered my heart out for my fellow FRBs and friends and encouraged the struggling half-marathoners for 3 hours.  Other spectators around me would come and go.  Some asked me questions about the marathon, the runners.  Some were very anxious looking for their runners. 

Felt so so so so proud of RAD who ran an AWESOME and inspired PR.  I think I lost my voice yelling for Fritz, Steve, Kelli, BrianH, Mark (Fly on the Wall), WendyC, Gary, EmilyH, Teena, MattC, JohnnyV, Toby.  It was such a beautiful sight to see Karen running in with her two youngest daughters, bro-in-law and husband.  Gary came over to stretch and helped me spot Charlie and some other friends.  Hubby spotted my niece, Aimee.  I also recognized some of the ladies in my age division and got them to smile as I yelled out their names.  :)

I strained and strained to watch for Lowell.  When the 5 hr pace group past, I asked hubby to go get my cell phone so I could call him knowing he would not be this slow.  My worry and fear was confirmed when he answered the phone informing that he was injured.  Thankfully Marcie Wood was there to walk with him to the finish. 

It was now past noon, my foot was throbbing, my head hurting, my voice was gone...so rather than wait for Lowell to come in, hubby decided to take me home.  On the drive home, alone with hubby, I finally broke down and cried.  I was very happy for my friends who all ran so well today.  Wish I was at the finish corral to give them personal congratulatory hugs. 

I should've listened to my son, Eric and not run.  But I did what I promised him I would, to stop if the pain caused me to alter my gait.  The foot pain this time is more diffused and intense compared to the stress fracture of the 5th metatarsal of the same foot 3 months ago.  It feels like it's the 3rd or 4th metatarsals and more distal.  Whereas there was a very noticeable lump/swelling the last time, there is no swelling or discoloration.  Pain is constant, worsened with touch and movement.  Eric suggested that I treat it the same as a stress fracture, ice every 15 min. elevate the foot and wear the boot when up and walking.

Looking back over the last 3 months since the stress fracture, I thought I was doing very well with absolutely no pain in the foot before I resumed running.   I think the sudden increase in running intensity this last week coupled with lack of sleep over a period of time was the culprit.  3 months really isn't sufficient time for the stress fracture of an older person such as me to fully heal.  I need to be smarter this time!

Elixir 6 (hot Pink) Miles: 5.50
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I did not sleep a wink after laying in bed all evening and night with my foot propped up on two pillows.  Finally hobbled out of bed at 2am to take a Tylenol PM and dozed for couple hours.  I had arranged for someones to take care of my choir practice and my Primary class.  Debated whether to call my best friend Wendy to drive me to Sacrament Mtg. 

The foot hurts so much that I didn't even feel like getting up to shower so I lounged around 'till my son, Bryan, came home.  He was on his way back from playing in the Music and Spoken Words which I watched the live broadcast from my bedroom TV.   He listened and made me something to eat while I talked about my broken foot, childhood food, etc.  It's good to listen to him too.  He's been home almost 2 years now from his mission.  Am glad that I've been at the "crossroads" of his life! :)

VERY NICE to receive texts from Teena and Lowell.  How I ever survive without their friendships!!!!


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Hubby helped me out of bed before he left for his run.  How ironic that all these years I said I'd give anything in the world to be able to run with him.  Now that he's running, I'm all lamed up! :)  

I seriously thought that I'd be sad about not able to run.  NOPE!!!  The pain in the foot is a constant reminder...running is the last thing on earth right now.  I'd be happy to just get out of bed, shower, get dressed, put on the boot...eat, drink and be merry...yep, that's exactly what I did and it's all peachy! :) :) :)  May be I will learn to play the piano as my fingers are obviously working pretty good typing this post.  

OK!  Silliness aside.  I must report that hubby ran the same 3 mile loop with only 3 walk breaks of 2 telephone poles distance this morning!  He is hoping to eventually run the entire loop without walk breaks.  He said he can tell the running is becoming easier now.  I still teased him about his attire!!!  At least he agreed to wear a tech shirt over his garments instead of the heavy polo shirt! :)

Happy Monday to y'all fellow bloggers! :) :) :) :)

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Foot assessment:  some swelling across the top of the foot, pain with movement and touch.  Eric advised using crutches in addition to wearing the boot to minimize weight bearing.  Thank heavens I don't have little kids to chase around but a wonderful hubby to take care of me! :) :) :) 

With injury, I have more time to read, study and check on my emails.  Here's one from my bro-in-law.  AMAZING how he remembered/recognized Chad, Kelli and Mark whom he met briefly at the start.  Whereas I would easily miss any of them even when standing next to 'em!

Hi Susanna, thanks again for getting me into Odgen marathon.  It was fun to see you and Larry and I enjoyed meeting your friends.  FYI below are my thoughts on the race that I wrote up on the plane home.....

Ogden Utah Marathon 2012.

Pre-Race:  Fifth marathon this year....Mumbai India; Hong Kong; Bangkok Thailand; Bali Indonesia, and Odgen Utah.  Thanks to my Sister-in-Law for finding a bib to buy at the last minute.  Slept like a total of 8 hours over the past 3 days...and not much more the few days before that.  Completely broke my taper routine during race week...did a hard run up in the canyon with Alex on Thursday night and then an easier one (but hilly) with him on Friday night, just 12 hours before the race.  Was that a bad idea?.....Using the 'good', 'better', 'best' process of decision making, I would do it again and again and again as running with Alex (or any of my family) takes precedence over any marathon.  Also didn't do my usual heavy carbo loading the day before but did manage to pack down two quarts of gatorade, two big bowls of fried rice, a banana, a bagel, and a granola bar in the car on the way to the race.  It was fun meeting some of Susanna's running friends.

The Race:  I loved it and I hated it.  It was one of most beautiful courses (the I loved it part) and it was probably my worst marathon to date (the I hated it part), although not my slowest.  Given the last minute entry and that I wouldn't be using a chip, my thinking was a nice Saturday morning long run somewhere between 3:15 and 3:30, another T-shirt for my quilt, and another medal....then stretch, get my post race greasy burger and Dr. Pepper and then go hang out with my boys for the rest of the day.  Then....on the bus up the canyon......the talk of running......the talk of the fast course......seeing the nice gentle decline of the course.....hearing (I think Chad) shooting for a 2:48 in a pair of Crocs!.....the excitement of the runners generally.....the competitive bug starts to play mind games.....so the mindset starts to change and I start thinking I might as well try for a faster time...always a mistake when the mind is ahead of the  unprepared body......

Started off way too fast...first 3 miles averaged 6:25; it didn't feel too bad......but what was I thinking??....I guess I wasn't.  Then tried to get into a steady groove...but couldn't....felt like I was a bit off balance, breathing wasn't smooth, strides weren't smooth, splits were all over the place....I simply wanted to get into a good rythym.  Hit the half at 1:33 but felt it was a struggle the whole way..... and was frustrated with the way I felt.....started to think that I'd be happy with a 3:10 - 3:15.  It was downhill from there....literally.  Splits continued to be all over the place, couldn't get my breathing down, couldn't do this, couldn't do that.  Kelli (great hair!) flew by me looking very strong, then Marc (great Hawaiian running shirt!) then came up I think a bit before the dam, also running strong.....tried to keep pace with him but that lasted about 20 yards, if that.  I usually love to cruise on slight downhill grades like the miles after the dam.  I just simply couldn't do it.  I had a number of 8+ minute splits over what I thought should have been the best and fastest part of the  course.  I walked through two water stations....I never walk through water stations.  Even in the last mile....thought I could finish strong....tried to kick it in gear down the stretch....not only didn't it kick in....I could feel a cramp coming on when I tried.....and no way am I going to cramp a few hundred metres from the finish....so I had to go back to a slower pace and just finish....which i did in 3:22 and some change.

Post Race:  Glad I did it....beautiful course.....want to come back mentally and physically prepared and give this course another shot.....great people....great organization.  Lesson learned:  if you don't got it, you don't got it, so just relax and enjoy the race rather than try to force something to happen and get more frustrated when it doesn't happen.  And run the race you plan to run....not something different.   Regardless of effort....or lack of effort....regardless of disappointing result.....there's always a sense of satisfaction in completing another one and hanging the medal with a pride of sorts.  Later that day a friend asked me 'whats the point of running 26.2 miles if you're so miserable and frustrated?' This question was followed by 'and you pay to do this?'   I could only think of one response ......'because thats what runners do'......


Whats next:  pacing my nephew the last 40 miles of the Western States 100; starts at Lake Tahoe at the end of June...if he finishes within 24 hours he gets a belt buckle....I told him I can think of a lot of easier ways to get a belt buckle.  Odgen, I'll be back!

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So nice to sleep in!  Foot pain is slightly better.  I can put a bit weight on the heel (with boot on of course).  Still slight edema on the top of the foot. 

Arms got a good work out from using crutches when I went visiting teaching yesterday. The non-injured left leg/foot is going to be super strong! :)


 

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Can bear weight on heel.  NO need for crutches!  YAY!!! :) :) :)

Myrtle.  A little tricky to do donkey whip with the boot...but I did it without incidence! :)

4 circuits of CSE.  Couldn't do staff very well, so did girl push ups in addition to planks.

20 min. recumbent bike on the easiest program.

20 min. elliptical easiest setting. (10 min backward which was easy on the foot, 10 min forward)

Had Wendy, Carolyn, Olga and her children over for lunch.  I made chicken fajitas.

Best part of my day was a wonderful visit from RAD and Quiet Pirate!  They brought me the yummiest sugar cookies and really uplifted my spirit!  THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH RAD and QP!!!  :) :) :) :) :) :) 

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So so so SO proud of hubby braving the wind and rain to run.  He ran 1.5 mile before taking a walk break then ran another mile home...only ONE walk break!  WaHOOO!!! :)  I can't wait for my foot to get all healed up so I can run WITH him! :) :)

Foot feeling a bit better.  Did core stability exercises while hubby read and did the recumbent bike!

45 min. recumbent bike followed by 60 min. elliptical while watching a movie with hubby.

I deferred my UVM entry to next year after considering Lowell's inquiry whether I could walk the Half instead.  I decided that walking the distance just 3 weeks from the stress fracture may hurt more than help.  I may be able to walk painfree with the boot on but for 13.1 miles just doesn't sound very fun.  So I paid $10.54 on line for the deferral.  Today's the last day to make transfer/defer.  Depending on how my foot feels in couple weeks, I may volunteer; otherwise I will definitely be there to cheer. 

Date night with movie and dinner! ♥♥ :)

Happy running and GOOD LUCK to y'all with your races and long runs tomorrow! :) :)

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 One week post stress fracture.

Survived the first week of boot imprisonment!!!  There's only so much I could do with the boot on.  Got on the elliptical with a Netflix documentary for 90 min. at the lowest incline and easiest resistance.  The foot was NOT happy afterwards! :(  Shopping at Costco and Walgreen in the afternoon did not help either.  Am glad tomorrow is Sunday, a true day of rest!  :)

Happy to report that hubby ran the entire 2.25 miles block without a single walk break!!!!  WAHOO!!!!  He reached his goal in just 2 weeks!  SO PROUD of him! :) :) :)  I know just what to get him for Father's Day! :)

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