Each Day Is a Gift

AF Canyon Half Marathon

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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:

Click to donate

to Ukraine's Armed Forces

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

Sat, Jun 25, 2011

Race: AF Canyon Half Marathon (13.1 Miles) 01:49:10, Place in age division: 2

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
1.00	1.00	11.10	0.00	13.10

KUDOS to the organizers and volunteers of the AF Canyon 1/2 marathon & 5K!

I signed up for this race because 100% of the proceed goes to cancer patients who can't afford treatments. It is the first year and possibly first race ever running down the American Fork Canyon. Very impressed with its superb organization, especially for a first year race. We received 3 email reminders with pertinent information during the week. Packet pickup was efficiently set up at the finish/bus pick up area at American Fork High School. They gave out gender specific Nike tech shirt that is true to size, YAY!!! The volunteers explained the course on a huge map and pointed out where the finishing chute was. They had prize drawing that took place prior to or during the run so all you had to do is check the list at the finish for your name and claim the prize, no waiting around! I won a free mammogram.

Picked up Karen at 4am, got to AF HS in 15 min. Saw Maynard and his two beautiful daughters on the bus so we sat by them! :) Couldn't have planned it better! :) The start staging was at Tibble Fork Reservoir, a beautiful setting surrounded by mountains. The parking lot has plenty of room for pops, music, etc., no cow pies, muddy field or angry farmers! :) We had plenty of time to do the pop twice. The race started on time, may be even a min. early. We lined up behind the 2:05 pacer but passed the 2:00 and 1:55 pacers within the first 1/4 mile.

The river and run offs was so high that it spilled/washed over onto the road. We got our feet wet right before the first mile marker, not too concerned. I told Karen with the course huge elevation drop (1471' according to the race website), we could PR (sub 1:50 for me, sub-2 for Karen) even though I wasn't planning to race it. I wanted to treat this as a training run and just ran with feel.

AF canyon is a winding 2-lanes road so I tried my best to do the tangents since we had to stay on the westbound lane. The scenery was BEAUTIFUL, lush green mountains and roaring river! I pointed out the rock formation to Karen. Did anyone spotted Abe Lincoln's profile?

Mile 1 - 8:28 (200' elevation drop) EZ warm up while weaving around runners.

Mile 2 - 8:00 (~ 75') Surprised by this but feeling good.

Mile 3 - 8:04 (~125') Focused on downhill form and relaxed.

Mile 4 - 7:48 (~200') Followed a boy w/ the UVM'09 shirt on.

Mile 5 - 7:14 (~400') Biggest elevation drop of the course. Passed UVM-boy. Gu'd at this aid station.

Mile 6 ~ 7:39 (~225') Started to cough (campfire smell?). No inhaler, stink!

Mile 7 ~ 7:20 (~250') Started to feel warm but saved by a canyon breeze.

Mile 8 ~ 8:04 (~75') Got onto the trail at the mouth of the canyon. Legs started to feel the accumulative fatigue!

Mile 9 ~ 8:25 (~50') Rolling and winding along the trail by Cedar Hills Golf Course. Started to fade while Karen gradually pulling away. She looked like she was just out on a Saturday long run, smooth & effortless!

Mile 10 ~ 8:48 (~50') Thought I was running in the 9's. Feeling warm and tired.

Mile 11 ~ 8:59 (~50') Had to walk on the small incline, coughing!

Mile 12 ~ 8:38 Course flattens out. Dig deep to fight the urge to walk. Passed lots of 5K walkers.

Mile 13 ~ 9:23 Saw Lucy Gull, a friend I met in Spanish Fork. She was volunteering at the last aid station. I wasn't going to take a drink. But she handed me two cups and asked how I was doing. I dumped the water on myself and walked to talk to her.

0.17 ~ 1:30+ (8:36) I stopped my Garmin (1:48:25) when I crossed over what I thought was a timing mat and jogged to the balloon arch (about 100 yards away) where I realized sat the REAL timing mat! STINK! The clock read 1:49:04. The posted time at the finish was 1:49:10. Will take the PR albeit on an aided course and the division award for 2 movie vouchers! :)

Walked around at the finish and found my neighbors, Wendy Clark, Emily & Brian Hansen who all placed in their divisions. Karen ran a 1:47:48. I am SO SO SO SO PROUD of her!!! Heard they announced Walter's winning time! Saw and visited with AlisaB, but never found Kelly & JonA. Bummer!:( HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JonA!!! :)

It was a GREAT DAY (temp mid 50s-60s), beautiful downhill course, lots of food at the finish (french toast w/ honey butter, yogurt, grapes package, mini banana, chocolate milk, etc.) Hubby missed seeing me come in as he was getting there late from attending the 6am temple session. He found me in time to say goodbye as he had to be in the parade at 9. Not complaining as he is so very supportive of my running! I love him so much! ♥

Thoughts during the run: Susan who died of pancreatic cancer. AlisaB's mom who died recently of uterine & lung cancer. My neighbor dying of brain cancer. My nephew Alex, a great kid and runner, fighting Lymphoma.

Inspire 6 (green) Miles: 13.10

Night Sleep Time: 4.50	Nap Time: 0.00	Total Sleep Time: 4.50	Weight: 0.00

Comments

From Teena Marie on Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 15:43:47 from 67.2.101.26

Sounds like everybody had an amazing race!!! :) :) :)

A HUGE HUGE HUGE congrats on the PR!!! :) :) :)

What a wonderful morning and what a wonderful cause.

Here's to finding a cure.

From RAD on Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 15:56:26 from 98.202.17.113

What an amazing race Smooth! I couldn't have kept up with you!! I'm so glad that you felt good and look at those 7's! Plus, taking 2nd in your AG? WOW! This is an amazing race. SO many people to think of as well. All around amazing run. Great job Smooth!!

From flatlander on Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 17:06:35 from 76.31.26.153

Good grief, look at those splits! Poor UVM boy.

From allie on Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 17:23:39 from 24.10.191.18

great report -- thanks for all the details. i was curious about how this race would go since it's in the first year. great to hear that it was a success.

more importantly, great to hear that *your* race was a success. way to go, speedy smooth!

From Maynard on Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 18:08:58 from 71.213.10.154

I saw it! The scenery AND Abe's profile.

Well done, Smooth! You did great!

From Nancy on Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 18:25:33 from 76.23.21.118

Great job. It sounds like a very nice race. I really love those downhill races. I really enjoy reading all your race reports.

From Kathie on Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 19:13:33 from 174.23.137.20

Great Job! Wow you were really fast today, I am surprised that you only took second!

From JulieC on Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 21:41:51 from 70.56.108.100

GREAT RUN SMOOTHIE!! I had forgotten about that WATERFALL through our first mile, I think the dry heat must have dried off my shoes quickly. That was a tricky little splasher!! : D. Have a nice rest of your weekend.

From Smooth on Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 23:34:07 from 67.2.109.45

SSF ~ it was a wonderful day and run for us. Wish you were here!

Rachel ~ what are you talking about! You would kick my trash on this race. You should have signed up. I heard they opened up some spots last minute. Oh, those 7s were on the steepest downhill. You'd run sub-7 on it! :)

Mark ~ thanks! I think! :)

allie ~ other than the weird and far apart placement of two timing mats at the finish throwing me (and others) off, it was a well organized race. I highly recommend it for next year. If they're going to do it again, may be they should use a different timing company. It was milliseconds which has been known to have some foul ups lately.

Maynard ~ THANKS! It was so great to see you, Chan & Hay. It was funny and quite true when your daughter said they look more like your sister-wives than daughters. YOU look WAY TOO YOUNG to be their father! Seriously! :)

Nancy ~ thanks! If you like downhill races, you'd really LOVE this one!

Kathie ~ thank you! My splits were deceiving. Remember that it's DOWNhill. :) Someone compared it to Hobble Creek. I'm surprised I even placed, just never know who shows up to these things! :)

Julie ~ That little splasher was actually quite fun. YOU, my friend, totally ROCKED it this morning! I only wish I had seen you!

From Kim on Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 23:43:13 from 67.199.180.90

Wow Smooth-a-roonie! Way to PR! Fun to read your thoughts here! Congrats!

From Smooth on Sun, Jun 26, 2011 at 00:02:01 from 67.2.109.45

Kim ~ you just put a huge smile on my face! :) thanks!

From Teena Marie on Sun, Jun 26, 2011 at 11:43:54 from 67.2.101.26

SSF~

Just wondering how your knee is feeling this morning. Downhills can be so rough on your body. I'm hoping that all is well and that the euphoria of a PR is far outweighing any pain. :) :) :)

Btw, you probably did tell me about AF. I was so out of it that morning. The ambien makes me forget quite a bit when it is still running through my veins. Silly me.

Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday!! :) LLL

From Carina on Sun, Jun 26, 2011 at 12:09:53 from 204.15.86.83

Nice PR race, and a great report!! Congratulations. I wish I would have seen you up there, you always put a smile on my face :)

From Twinkies on Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 00:08:21 from 67.164.194.215

A beautiful day. A PR. Running with friends. What could be better? Way to go Smooth.

From glidergirl on Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 12:00:34 from 155.97.238.134

Wow, nice race Smooth! :) That is awesome that it all goes to cancer patients. It sounds like a beautiful race, too. You had great pacing and a great overall time, nice work!

From Jon A on Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 12:02:36 from 67.214.249.195

Congratulations on the PR Smooth! Awesome race! Kelly and I looked for you, but could find you. Your speed was just to much for us. :-)

Thanks for the Happy Birthday shout. Sorry we missed you! Will see you at the RHPC Half. :-)

From Smooth on Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 12:13:17 from 67.2.109.45

Jon ~ Hey there! So how was your birthday? I think I spotted Kelly when we were driving out of the parking lot. Karen had to be home by 9.

I am not going to run RHPC. Larry and I will be in Cedar City for bank business. I was trying to talk him into letting me run the Bryce Canyon 1/2 that same morning since we'll be down there. But he said NO! :) Bummer!

I looked up the result and saw that you and Kelly ran together and finished at a very very good time! How are you guys feeling today?

Have a great week!

SSF ~ Legs were fine on Sunday. They always are for some reason and then this morning they remembered that I've run a downhill 1/2. The quads and right knee are just a tad sore. But the recovery run loosened things up. LLL

Carina ~ CONGRATZ to you and your win! You are running faster and stronger with each race and they are all back to back races too! You are AMAZING!

Twinkies ~ Hi there! How are you doing? Thanks for "dropping by"! Are you and your family running the RHPC again this year?

Brooke ~ Thanks! Sure miss you cute girl! :)

From Jon A on Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 12:41:02 from 67.214.249.195

Bummer you won't be at the RHPC. We will have to get together and run some long run miles with you. Kelly did awesome for the race. She wants to be faster, and she will be, I'm building her miles up, then we can work more serious on the speed.

We are thinking of running Provo Canyon this weekend.

Have a great week!

From Andy on Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 12:43:05 from 199.190.170.21

Congrats on the PR, placing in your AG and winning an extra prize. Nice "training run".

From Scott Wesemann on Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 12:48:23 from 66.239.250.209

Congrats on your race Smooth. That sounds like a really fun one. I will have to do it next year.

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