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I love Swig. I love blogging.

October 7, 2015

(This is a picture of me and Elise.  Elise PR’d on Saturday at St. George!!! How freaking awesome is she? Also, she looked like a million bucks, and I looked like a walking zombie. She is a blog reader, and now friend, and boy did she help improve my attitude on Saturday.)

After my race on Saturday, I didn’t have much time for pity parties because I met people at Swig that were telling me that I inspired them, that they enjoy my blog, and my favorite- that they don’t read my blog because I can run fast and PR.  How amazing.  How flattering.

I also met up with four other really inspiring, positive, sweet, runners and bloggers.  It was just what I needed!! Do you have any idea how awesome it was to talk about things like how obnoxious it can be when your little kids won’t stop stepping on your sensitive toes and have others completely relate?? Such fun.

IMG_3507(Me, Katie, Heather, Ashley, and Candice)

Anyway, there’s a story I’d like to share with you:

A young man is walking along the ocean and sees a beach on which thousands and thousands of starfish have washed ashore.  Further along, he sees an old man, walking slowly and stooping often, picking up on starfish after another and gently tossing each one gently into the ocean.

“Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” He asks.

“Because the sun is up and the tide is going out and if I don’t throw them further in, they will die.”

“But old man, don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it! You can’t possibly save them all, you can’t even save one-tenth of them.  In fact, even if you work all day, your efforts won’t make any difference at all.”

The old man listened calmly and then bent to pick up another starfish and threw it into the sea.  “It made a difference to that one.”

I’m throwing starfish, guys.  I may not have the most followers of all the running bloggers, or the most readers, and I may not be able to PR after having my 4th baby (who’s almost 4, also why do I still say baby), but I meet people like Elise, and I get emails saying I helped someone get their PR, and then another one thanking me for giving them someone to relate to during training because everyone else in their life says they’re crazy…. It’s a reminder that this little old blog is making a difference to not miles and miles of starfish, but some.  That’s more than I could ever hope for.

Who wants a NYC meet up?? Just a forewarning: it will involve sweets.

6 Comments
Filed Under: Quote, Races, Utah, What's On My Mind

Race Rundown: St. George

October 6, 2015

The race fun started at the expo on Friday.  In all honesty, I’m not a huge fan of expo’s and that’s probably because they’re usually crowded and they involve weaving in and out of crowds of people.  I usually grab my number, shirt, and head out.  I remember my first expo was quite exciting and new and I felt like I had been introduced into this whole new crazy world of people who loved to run and buy things for running- it was way cool!

Here’s Amy and me.  Not sure how many races we’ve run together, but it’s a lot!! IMG_3378

After the expo, we went to Einstein’s to get our pre-race bagels for the morning, the grocery store to get some Pepto Bismol for me (more on this later) and then to check into the hotel.

After checking in, we met more of my friends at The Pizza Factory for dinner.  Amy and I shared a salad, breadstick and spaghetti.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel.  We set out all of our things for race morning, got ready for bed, then I drank my tea in bed and tried to stay calm before lights out.  I was doing a pretty good job of staying calm! I was ready to work hard.

Race morning went pretty smoothly because I had set everything out and had everything ready the night before.  I showered, got dressed, put Aquaphor on my feet, did my makeup and hair, and pinned on my number on… all while eating my cinnamon raisin bagel and sipping on my drink.  Amy and I left our hotel room around 4:30.  Our hotel had a shuttle that left straight from the hotel and shuttled us to the marathon busses.  It was very convenient!IMG_3394

At the busses, we met up with my friend Tarah and one of her running buddies, Jenny.  We hopped on the bus and began the journey to the start.

There’s something about riding a bus to the start of a marathon…. I like it! I think it’s because for my first marathon I rode a bus.  I still remember talking to the man next to me… He was telling me that it was his first marathon although he had completed a few Ironman races (at the time I didn’t even know what an Ironman was, but I pretended I did.  Haha!) He was very encouraging and nice.  What’s funny about bus rides is that they seem long…. And that’s funny because you’ll be running the distance pretty soon.  Confirmation that marathons are very long!

Anyway, back to the race.  After we hopped off of the bus, we did the normal routine, potty stop, hang out and chat while getting situated (watch on, headphones on, check bag ready.)IMG_3398

(Who else thinks it’s funny that I have a picture of myself in front of 5,000 porta-potties?)

We made one more potty stop before checking our bags.  That took longer than expected (it always does) so we hurried and checked our bags right as the gun was going off… Luckily that was right by the course, so we hopped on the course and started running and it happened to be right by the 3:35 pacer.  I thought, Oh no! This pacer is gonna mess with my head!  (I think you all know how I feel about pacers.)

We crossed the start line, I started my Garmin, and started running.  It was dark.  I like running in the dark, but it does get a little complicated when it involves a lot of other runners around you.  I realized right as I started running that I forgot to take the Pepto Bismol I had in my check bag.  I was bummed that I forgot!  My stomach is very sensitive (and it had been very sensitive the last few days because it is affected by stress) and I anticipated it being an issue, and was going to make sure and take the Pepto right before I checked my bag hoping that it would help keep everything calm during the race.  Anyway, I kept running and kept trying to ignore the pacer’s beside me.

By mile 2, I knew that my stomachache was probably going to be an issue, but I did my best to shove the thought right out of my head.  I was gonna do well today, darn it!

I took my first gel at mile 5.  My stomach handled it fairly well.

Amy and I stayed alongside each other (and the pacer) the first 7 miles.  I really don’t know the word to describe how my legs were feeling, but they weren’t feeling light and fresh, which is how they should feel when a runner is about to PR.  They felt exactly how they felt at the recent 5K I ran at the local high school- heavier than normal, tired.  Once again, I shoved the thought out of my head.

At Vejo hill, I fell back and lost the pacer and Amy.  I still managed to stay positive, knowing that my goal time was five minutes more than Amy’s, and knowing that the pacer most likely had a different strategy than I did.

I took another gel at mile 9.  My pace had slowed significantly in the last two miles, but I reminded myself that this race is always harder in the first half.  I made a goal to make it through the first half, then push it at the halfway mark.

I crossed the halfway point at 1:50:00 exactly.  In my previous St. George Marathons, I crossed the halfway point at 1:50 too, so I knew then that if I wanted to PR at 3:37 or faster, I had to run a negative split.  But I was still optimistic because if I was gonna run a negative split in any race, it would be this one.  I kept pushing on even though my legs were telling me they wanted to do otherwise, and even though my stomach was feeling pretty weak.

I think between the halfway marker and the mile 17 marker, I listened to Moby’s Honey at least five times.  It is a repetitive song, which otherwise might have bugged me, but it helped my feet to keep moving on the downhills, when all I wanted to do was walk.  I stopped paying attention to my slow pace and just tried to push forward.  Somewhere around mile 16, I finally accepted that there was no possible way I was going to PR, considering the state of how I was feeling, and my average pace.  As I approached mile 17, I knew it was about time for another gel, but I couldn’t do it.  I knew that I would throw up if I did.  I stopped to walk, accepted defeat, and wanted to give up.  I sat down in the shade behind the porta-potties and waited to throw up.  I knew that I had to eat something, so I walked back to the Gatorade table.  I had a small drink and waited to see if it would settle.   A volunteer asked if I was okay.  I said, “Yes, I’m okay.”  I started walking back to the shade, but along the way asked a nice looking volunteer (a lady about my age) if I could borrow her phone.  She quickly said yes and handed it to me.  I was ready to call B and tell him I was giving up.  He picked up the phone and knew right away that the race was not going well.  I told him that I didn’t see the point in suffering through nine more miles when my goal for the race had already slipped through my hands.  He asked me how I would feel telling others that I had quit, and how I would feel crossing the finish line.  I agreed that crossing the finish line was definitely the better of the two options, but I replied with, “I honestly don’t know how I’m going to run nine more miles.” My legs an stomach were done.  DONE.  He said, “Walk, take deep breaths, and you’ll be able to do it.”  I thanked him, told him I loved him, handed the phone back to the volunteer and dug deep.  I decided I was going to finish even though I had no freaking clue how I was gonna do it.

I turned off my Garmin, took out my headphones and put them in my pocket, and did what Brian told me to: walked and took deep breaths.

I can honestly say that the last nine miles of that race were some of the best miles I have ever run in my entire life.  I was so proud of myself with each and every step.  All the disappointment that had plagued me from mile 13 to 17 had turned into sheer happiness that I was even moving.  I lost myself in the other runners and the spectators.  I looked at the runners around me and knew that I was not alone.  I looked at the spectators and knew that they were proud of me.  I chatted with other runners (one man said, “You look amazing! You look like you’re just out for a quick 5 mile run!”)  I started taking in popsicles, pretzels, and more fuel and started to feel much better.  I smiled. I picked up the pace a little bit, and couldn’t believe that I was going to finish when at mile 17, I was afraid of my very first DNF (did not finish) out of 21 marathons.

Lastly, I thought of life.  I thought of my mom.  She always gives me perspective.  I watched her suffer and push through pain day after day for two years when she was sick.  Whenever I think of her strength, I am humbled.  Marathons are not hard.  Fighting for your life is hard.

I crossed the finish line.  I did it with a  smile.  I was reminded of a lesson that running marathons has taught me: Finish lines always come if you keep moving forward.  It may seem like it won’t ever come, but it always does if you keep moving forward.

IMG_3440

Quickly after I crossed the finish line, my friends were there to congratulate and hug me.  I told them I was so happy to even have finished! Then I went to get my check bag to call B.

After I thanked B for his encouragement, and assured him that I was alive, I sat in the grass, brushed my hair, and thought of how grateful I was that the race was over and that I had a medal around my neck.  I almost didn’t.  I can’t believe that I almost didn’t.  I was reminded of the Tucson Marathon I ran in December of 2010 (click here to read the post about it.)  It’s the only other race I’ve sincerely wanted to quit.  I reminded myself that I dug myself out of that hole and I can do it again.

And I will.

I want you all to know that your Instagram comments, and blog post comments of encouragement have meant everything.  EVERYTHING.  I know I keep saying it, but really, I had no clue the joy that I would get from sharing my passion.

Huge congrats to my friends that got killer times- especially Amy.  I feel bad that I was such a buzzkill on the day of her PR/BQ.  She was extremely patient with me and managed to hold me up with positivity when I was consumed with frustration.  She’s my hero- excels at everything she tries (I want to be like that!) but still humble.  I’m still mad we didn’t get a picture together with our medals!

When I went back and read my post from yesterday, I felt a little guilty for coming across more down than I actually feel.  I do feel discouraged, but I know that it is not the end.  I will dig myself out of this hole and you will be there to see it and the victory will taste so sweet.  I love running.  I love the marathon.  I love the experiences I have had and the places I have been because of it.  I will continue to run around this world with bright eyes and a grateful heart.  Rest assured that has not changed and never will.  My PR will come! In the meantime, I’ve got other very fun races to run!

Thought today would be a good day to share my favorite quote.  It is just as appropriate today as it was the day I came across it:

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” -C.S. Lewis

XO

Maury

13 Comments
Filed Under: Race Rundown, Races, Utah

Rainbow coming soon…. I hope

October 5, 2015

(Look at my four monkeys admiring this rainbow.)

If you follow my Instagram page, you know that the race on Saturday did NOT go well.  Like at all.  Like I wanted to quit SO bad and ended up finishing a full hour after I was hoping to finish.

Honestly guys, I think running marathons every two months is taking its toll.  And the toll is expensive.  I’m getting slower and my legs are getting heavier.

A handful of thoughts:

I’m scared to run New York in four weeks.  I want to take it easy and have fun and not worry about time AT ALL.  My poor legs are screaming for a break.  It just might be a 5 hour brisk walk through the five boroughs of NYC 🙂

The night of the race, I came home to this: IMG_3444

Flowers and a note from each of my kids telling me that basically I am the most awesome runner there ever was.  Everyone was in their beds and I sat and cried as I read each one.  B didn’t say much, but just gave me lots of hugs.

Yesterday was hard.  Really really hard.  And it’s still hard.  It’s hard to feel like you’re investing a lot of time and effort but not seeing results. And it’s hard watching everyone around you see results that you wanted to see (although I am so crazy happy for everyone that did well yesterday… I really am!)

But really, I feel like I’m at the same spot I was on Saturday at the mile 17 marker.  I want to give up SO BAD, but I don’t think I have it in me.  I HAVE to get through this.  I asked for a volunteer’s phone and I called Brian and he said, “I think you will hate yourself if you give up.”  And he’s right.  I’ll be ready to attempt my goal again.  Someday.

I’m ready for a break.  But not after a few more races.  I’ll talk about this more later this week, but I have two world major marathons lined up in the late winter/spring (airline tickets and everything.) I’m super excited to have been drawn for them, to run them, and to be able to check them off my list of world majors accomplished (only one left after them!), so I can’t possibly back out now.

I just might possibly be ready for a coach.  I think.  I don’t know.  Your thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.  Either that or I need a major switch-up in training to shock my legs.

In awesome news:

  • Yesterday was Posey’s birthday!  She got her scooter and Hello Kitty doll.  Posey is the spunk in my life.  She’s fearless, passionate, loving, and pretty darn hilarious.  We call her Pudge here at home.  When she turned two, I made this video of her.  I need to make another one!  And following are some pictures from our little celebration…

IMG_3445IMG_3456IMG_3488

  • Second, I have the most AMAZING blog readers EVER.  Last week before the race I was inundated with emails, Instagram comments, Facebook comments, all with positive and amazing heartfelt messages to little old me.  I had no clue how badly I would need all of that on Saturday.  And I met some pretty amazing readers at Swig that helped make up for not accomplishing my goal at the race.  I had no idea that sharing my passion would bring me so much joy.  You guys are all awesome.
  • Finally, rainbows are a SWEET reward for surviving a storm and my rainbow is gonna come, guys.  Maybe not soon, but I am an ENDURANCE athlete.  Holding out and hanging on doesn’t scare me.  I’m actually kinda good at it 🙂

Race Rundown coming your way tomorrow.

19 Comments
Filed Under: Family, Kids, Posey Quinn, Races, What's next

Checklists and Playlists

October 1, 2015

These are the words I am reading over and over and repeating in my head over and over again.

(I spelled achieve wrong but I didn’t have the patience to rewrite it all.  And I kind of like that it is not perfect.)

I leave this afternoon for the airport.  I’ll fly into Vegas and meet up with my fun girlfriends there.  Spending time with them and laughing with them will be exactly what I need to stay calm and relaxed going into the race day.  Friday morning I will hop in my rental car and head to the expo.  We’ll all stay the night in St. George and get up at 3:00am on Saturday morning and discuss nerves, hills in the course, bowel movements, outfits, previous marathons, and all the things we will eat when the race is over.

Don’t forget to meet me at Swig on Saturday afternoon at 3:00pm if you’ll be in St. George.

Here is a small sneak preview of my playlist.  It seems random, but I believe in not only running to songs that have great beats, but songs that have meaning, remind me of loved ones, and ones that keep me motivated.

Happy Running!!

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Filed Under: Download This, Races, What's On My Mind

New Video Blog About Packing and Check Bags

September 29, 2015

Here’s a looooong video for you about what I’ve packed for this weekend and what I keep in my check bag.  It was filmed by the talented Dr. Brian Harris (whose specialty is smiles, not cameras) and edited by yours truly so I apologize for any mishaps (and also for screaming children in the background.)

Click here to visit my YouTube channel.

Couple things:

I have since chosen to NOT run with the bluetooth wireless headphones I purchased last week.  I can’t get them to play music without skipping around and stopping while my phone is in my pocket so I returned them. iPod shuffle and wired headphones it is.

Since I’ll be running without my belt (no need since I won’t be running with my phone), I’ll keep my Gu’s in the pockets of my shorts.  My shorts have one zippered pocket in the back and two in the waistband, so I’ll disperse the five gels throughout those pockets.

Here’s a link list for you of all the items that were in the video.

  • Garmin
  • iPod Shuffle
  • Headphones
  • USB charger
  • Advil PM
  • Advil Liqui-gels
  • Probiotics
  • Magnesium
  • Yogi Stomach-Ease tea
  • Yogi Calming tea
  • Shoes
  • Socks
  • Shorts
  • Tank
  • Blender Bottle
  • Modified Corn Starch
  • Gu Roctane
  • Cottonelle Wipes
  • Jacket
  • Visor
  • SPI Belt
  • Sunscreen
  • Post-race Hat
  • Wet Brush
  • Sunglasses
  • Lip gloss (Deelight color)

Please let me know if you have any questions and I’ll be happy to answer them.

Happy Running!

6 Comments
Filed Under: Gear, Races, Training Tip Tuesday, Travel, Youtube

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About Me

About Me
I am a wife and a mother to four busy kids who is seeing the world one marathon course at a time. I invite you to take a peek into my life, read about my quest to complete a marathon on each continent (with lots more traveling races in between), and learn how to race with your heart. Read more...

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