U Homecoming 5K

On September 18, Scott, Oliver, and I participated in races in celebration of the University of Utah's homecoming. (Race costs supported student scholarships.)

Oliver's 1K was wonderful, despite the pouring rain. He had a blast and came in first in his age group. 

Shortly after the kids race ended, the 5K started (and 19:39 minutes later, Scott finished his race and also came in first in his age group).

My race, on the other hand, was absolutely brutal. The race took us all over the very hilly U of U campus, and every time we went down a hill, I dreaded the impending climb. Honestly, when I got to the 1-mile mark, I thought it was the 2-mile mark and that they just forgot to put out the 1-mile sign. 

Then, somewhere between miles 2 and 3, we were hit with crazy headwinds, and I felt like I was walking in place as I ascended the hill by the Huntsman Center. I was discouraged and told one race volunteer, "This sucks" as I shuffled by.

The best part of the race was when Oliver met me for my last .1 miles, which, true to form for this race, was uphill. We crossed the finish line together at 42:15, which I wasn't especially proud of. On a positive note, though, the race and conditions were much more challenging than last year's Be Well Utah race, which I finished in 43:20. So, I guess things could have been worse.

Here's a picture of all three racers.

I don't think I'll sign up for this race again, but I will definitely be there to cheer my two boys on. Oliver is already ready for his next race - and race medal!

<3

 

Be Well Utah Virtual Walk, Run, & Roll 2021

On October 11, I got up early to complete the BWU Walk, Run, & Roll Challenge. Last year I finished in 43:20, and I was pretty confident that I could beat my time this year, despite my lack of training. 

I don't have a whole lot to report on this race, except that I wore the wrong pants (which fell down as I ran) and I felt good as I listened to my old iPod Shuffle and watched the sun rise. Here's a picture of me in my free race shirt and a pic of Salt Lake City around 7:30am.

I ran my first mile in 10:50, which was probably too fast for my fitness level (as evidenced by my 13:58 second mile). But it was nice to get a strong mile under my belt, and the remaining 2.1 miles weren't that bad. My average pace was 13:02, almost a minute per mile faster than last year.

<3

Bloomsday 2021

This was my ninth Bloomsday, and, once again, I completed it in Salt Lake City. Even though vaccines are readily available these days, the race organizers made the (wise) decision to keep people off of planes to attend an event where 50,000 runners and thousands more spectators gather in the streets of Spokane. Hopefully, Covid will be managed by 2022 and we can see our Pullman/Moscow/Spokane friends for Bloomsday next year.

Two months ago, Megan Whiteman and I decided to start training for Bloomsday so that we could improve our times from last year - and feel better about ourselves overall. I won't speak to her progress, but my own progress/training can be described as minimal. I tried to log miles each week, but it wasn't a priority after full days in the office every day and managing a household. Further, my second Pfizer shot was pretty hard on my body, and, even two weeks later, I still don't have all of my energy back.

But, enough with the excuses. I started my race around 10:30am on Sunday, the day that Bloomsday would have occurred on in "regular times." I decided to run the same course as last year - at Liberty Park, just 10 minutes from my home. My goal was to beat my time from last year and come in under two hours. I also hoped to run some of the race, get fewer/no blisters, and get some audiobook reading done.

 

I felt pretty good throughout the race. I walked most of it and jogged occasionally so that I could keep my pace under control. I finished my first mile in under 15 minutes, and every one after that was in the 15s. I made it through a lot of my book, The Body Keeps the Score, and I enjoyed seeing my boys (who cheered me on and gave me water as they ran and biked) each time they passed me on the 1.4-mile loop.

 

When I hit just over 7 miles, my little sweetie joined me to finish the race together. I couldn't help but remember when he finished the race with me back in 2016, when I was 8-months pregnant with him.

I met my goals and finished with a 1:54:10 and a 15:18/mile overall pace. I also had only one small blister, and my book is almost done. :)

We celebrated my finish at Winger's and had a Kona Big Wave Golden Ale. (We were surprised/disappointed the patio wasn't open, and we ended up eating indoors, which hasn't happened in over a year. Note the red mask sitting next to me.) 

On Facebook, I posted pictures and words of love to my fellow Beer Chasers who completed their races in Washington, Idaho, Michigan, and elsewhere. Even during a pandemic, we remembered and supported one another. I'm lucky to have them in my life - even at a distance.