Christmas Eve Run

What better way to start out Christmas than having a morning run on Christmas Eve. The Utah Marathon Maniacs met at the Fashion Place Mall for an out and back run to Murray Park. After running behind the mall we took Fashion Blvd and started running toward the park. We'd been given verbal directions to the park and the faster runners soon disappeared into the sunrise.

It was a pretty cold morning, 20 degrees, and so I was wearing my new face mask to keep from getting a frozen face. It was nice to be out running with maniac friends. I was in the slower pace group and we didn't circle around all of Murry Park to save us some time. It was a nice, safe run.

When we returned to the mall it was picture time! After that many of us went into the Corner Bakery for a warm breakfast. Here come all the calories I just burned off. Oh well, what are the holidays for.

Festive Christmas Light Run

What a fun evening this was, running with the Utah Marathon Maniacs to look at Christmas lights. The run started and ended at Teresa and Bob's home. Everyone ran at their own pace, Bob stayed back with the slower group so that we could stay on the right route. The best lights were around Teresa's neighborhood. It was pretty cool out, but the thoughts of hot chili after kept us running.

After we got back I had to change my shirt, I was soaked after running in my bike jacket and Christmas hat. My hair looked like I took a shower. I just can't run without the heat escaping out my head.

The food looked and tasted delicious. Teresa had her home and the tables decorated really beautiful. The turkey chili was delicious, so was the salad and bread. Well it was all good.

Stats for the run: 4.46 miles, 58:55 minutes.

California International Marathon - A PR!!!!!

California State Capital

Getting ready for this exciting marathon has been quite a busy week for me. Whenever I am getting ready to go out of town there is always a lot to do. I've been make lists and trying not to forget anything. This trip was a fun one with two purposes, visit Nancy and run my 3rd marathon ever.

My destination, Sacramento, CA. Since Nancy lives in Elk Grove I will be staying with her. This will be the first time in years I have stayed there since mom's house is sold just a couple of weeks ago. Liz, who is also running, is staying with her sister in Folsom.

The marathon I am running is the CIM or California International Marathon. This 26.2 race has been run on the same course for 29 years. 

Day one, Thursday December 1st I arrived at the newly built Terminal B at the Sacramento International Airport. Not knowing that it had a new terminal I was quite shocked that I had to get on a people mover, looked like a fast train. I had to take a long escalator down from the third floor to the first. My plane, which took off late from Salt Lake because of high winds arrived 20 minutes early because of a tail wind. It took Nancy a few minutes to arrive at the airport, but she soon picked me up. It was a new experience for her because everything looked different and she had to pay close attention to the new signs to find me.

After she picked me up we went to lunch at the Subway in Elk Grove by her house. After lunch one place I like to go in Elk Grove is Pet Club. It is a discount store that sells the two treats I feed my dogs at the best price. After that stop we went to her local running store to look around. Then it was on to Kohl's for some shopping time together. We really had a good time just being together. I bought quite a few things for Sunday wear. It was really nice. Soon it was evening and we went to dinner and then to the grocery store. Finally, home to Nancy's where I was greeted by Aiden & Gizmo.

Now this is what a call enough porta potties.

Day two, Friday December 2nd. Nancy and I spent time with the dogs in the morning and then she drove me out to Folsom to look at the rolling hills in the marathon course. We went to the start line, easy to spot because there was the longest row of porta potties I've ever seen. Since I was concerned about the size of the rolling hills it was nice to see that they weren't steep. We only went a few miles, but it made me feel better to see the terrain. This was so helpful and I was able to finalize my running plan. I decided to do 2:1 right off, not the 3:1 I had planned previously. As previously planned we went to Apple Hill about 30 miles away which is a community where they grow apples. There are a few farms still open for the holiday season and we had a nice lunch and did a little shopping.

Lunch in Apple Hill, Marsha & Nancy.

Soon it was time to drive into Sacramento, go to the expo and pick up my race number and shirt. My number, issued by entrants last name, was 4917. This was a large race. At the expo there are lots of running booths with all the latest running gear. I love shopping at these.

Loved the decorations at packet pickup.

Liz and Marsha, ready to run the CIM.

I met Liz at the expo. This is her 8th marathon this year, her 13th since she started running. She is an inspiration to me. She ran one 16 days ago also. I ended up buying a small running belt called a Spi-belt. It is a small belt to put a few things in like a car key, cell phone, etc. It is pretty stretchy. Nancy & I went out for a nice pasta dinner at Strings after the expo. The carb loading has begun for me.

Day three, Saturday December 3. Today Nancy and I are going to her Sheltie club Christmas party, which is a luncheon at The Old Spaghetti Factory. I missed my Sheltie party in Utah. I had a nice time visiting with the folks, especially Nancy's friends Gayle Ann and Terry who both work with Nancy in the No-Cal Sheltie Rescue, a group who find homes for rescued Shelties. After the lunch there was a steal the gift exchange, always an exciting time. Doggie stuff. It was fun. When it was over Nancy and her two friends find a cozy corner and have a private Christmas gift exchange.

That afternoon we got back to Nancy's house and packed to go to a Courtyard Marriott in Sacramento. This was one of the 5am pickup locations for the marathon. We went out for a nice fish dinner together and then we checked into the hotel. Nancy watched as I laid out all my clothes and stuff for the race in the morning. Put my race number on my belt and my sign (made for me by Liz) on the back of my shirt. My goal to qualify to be a Marathon Maniac was one day away!!! It is quite a production to get me ready for race in the early morning. Went to bed about 9:30pm. Alarm is set for 4:15am.

Liz gave me this sign to pin on my back.

Day four, Sunday. Wake up before alarm. Turn on a small light to let my sister sleep. And start the getting ready process. I like everything to be just right. Once I've got every lotion, cute running clothes and techno gear on I am ready to eat breakfast. 1 shake, 2 cold poached eggs and a piece of bread. Then I head for the bus outside the hotel. I get in for the long ride to the start line.

Before the race, Liz and me.

When we arrive in Folsom the buses parked and waited in a line of about 5 across blocking the road. There were a lot of them. They stay so that runners can stay warm and have a place to sit until the race starts at 7am. I had to make 2 restroom trips. That's just the way it is race morning. Soon Liz arrived and it was time to line up for the start. I threw my sweat bag on the truck and we lined up.

Liz you maniac.

GO!!!! And we are off and running. My second marathon in 16 days. It was quite cool out so I kept my jacket, which I bought at a thrift store so when I warm up I will toss it to the side of the road. It will go back to a thrift store. Recycling.

Picked up my pace for this one.

Most of the course is small rolling hills. Runners call them "rollers." With the lower altitude for me they didn't seem to effect me much at all because I have trained the hills around my home at the 4200 elevation. Breathing here is a piece of cake. And they closed down the entire road for this race so there is no car exhaust to breathe. Wow. So nice and much safer. Feeling strong, I ran a few miles with Liz and then it was time to think about running my own race. My unspoken goal was 5 hours 30 minutes. When the pacer with the 5:25 sign ran by I decided to try to stay by them. I told Liz I wanted that time, she said you're strong, go for it!

It was hard keeping in the group when I run 2 min, walk 1 min. So I would run faster, get ahead, then the group would pass by me when I was walking. I did this for miles. Then it was time for my bathroom break. I got in and out quickly but I never could catch back up to that pace group. On my own I kept my time goal in site, it gave me a boost when I saw the 5:25 sign bobbing up and down ahead. I ran the race as hard as I could, loving that my sister was part of my race today and she made a couple of cheering stops along the way. I was making great time, feeling good.
Many things make a great run. The course, the aid stations, the runners, the people cheering, the weather, no waiting at a porta potty ... it was all so perfect.

Towards the end of the race I was getting a bit tired and noticed my miles weren't run as fast as I thought I was going. Mile 23 13:01.3 & Mile 24 13:26.2  I got to doing some mental math and realized that I needed to pick up my pace. So I did. Then I saw I was still a little behind and so at about 2 miles out I decided to just run in. No walk breaks. I was so close to my goal, and running in would help me to stay close to it. Mile 25 12:30.4 and Mile 26 11:59.5. Finish line here I come! 

With my sister Nancy there to witness my finish I ran in at 5:33.15 !!! A personal record for me. I had run 2 marathons in 16 days and was now a Marathon Maniac. It feels good when I accomplish something hard. 

Mesquite Tri States Marathon - A PR!!!!!

This is marathon number one in my streak of two marathons in 16 days to become a MARATHON MANIAC!!! This is a quest that started out with a 3 race scenario in 90 days, but later when I realized that the last two were only 16 days apart, and this would qualify me, I dumped the first one, sized it down to a half and decided two would work for me.

Teota, Liz, Me and Cyndie.

I love girl trips and this one was bound to be fun with Cyndie, Liz, Teota and I. Teota drove us in her nice BMW, that car has all the bells and whistles. We left on Friday morning and stopped for a sandwich on our way to Nevada. The weather was nice for us and we had a nice safe trip.
Once we arrived in Mesquite we had some time before packet pickup to check into our hotel and get settled in. The packet pickup went quick and after that we went to dinner at a restaurant in the casino. Then Teota dropped us off at our hotel a short distance away and we were headed for bed.
Races are always fun, but this one will be especially fun because two of my friends, Cyndie Nell and Teota Dangle will become Marathon Maniacs today. That special day is another 2 weeks off for me.

The amount of potties for the amount of runners did not match up. 

Hangin' before the race.

Yeah, running in the middle of nowhere!

Cyndie wearing her sign. 

Entering our second state as the race officially started in Utah.

Saw someone do the snake hop dance, only when we
got up to this point in the road it was a tarantula.

Mile countdown was backwards,
17 is Jan's favorite number.

Teota wearing her sign.

Scenery along the way.

Yes, long and lonely out there.

Some parts were very pretty.

Taking a picture of myself.

Wall near the end of the 26.2 miles.

Cyndie did her marathon maniac streak of 3 marathons in 78 days by running the Pocatello Marathon, the SoJo Marathon and finally the Mesquite Marathon. She is now maniac #4557.
It is critical to know your number when you are a maniac. Everyone's number is way cool.
Then Teota went for her streak of 3 marathons in 63 days. She ran the Top of Utah Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon and then Mesquite. Her number is #4560.

Teota crosses the finish line "I'm a maniac, maniac..."

Teota shows off the medal.

26.2 finisher, one down, one to go in 2 weeks.

Cyndie on approach to the finish line.
She's a maniac for sure.

Cyndie finishes, get her a chair this girl
has had a rough run.

After getting lost because the race directors picked
up all the signs, Liz makes it to the finish line.
It is her fault we all want to be maniacs.

I would not do this race again, lots of hills and the race directors are unfriendly. Luckily they got the best and friendliest volunteers. Those people treated us good. 

Race stats:

26.2 miles  5:50:17

My Garmin dumped all my stats, I was very disappointed in that. Since the software update I now have to push the "reset" button to save workouts.

Here I Come Mesquite Marathon

I like to look to see who is racing in my age group. It is always interesting to see who my age is running. I also look at the results from the previous year and see who is running the race for the second time. Did they like it or are they defending their title? LOL. This marathon age group is 50-59, usually it is broken down in a smaller group,55-59. Last year this race was run with the smaller age groups.  And look - my bid number is 56, my age!

50-59

248 ARMSTRONG SUSAN OGDEN UT 52 F Marathon

246 BLACKMORE JUDY LAVERKIN UT 58 F Marathon

2010 2nd 4:34:48 55-59

38 BOYD SHELLY SANDY UT 50 F Marathon

297 FORD KALITA SALT LAKE CITY UT 55 F Marathon

52 GOLZE SANDRA ORINDA CA 56 F Marathon

294 HARDING ALYSON SALT LAKE CITY UT 50 F Marathon

158 JOHNSON JANICE MANTUA UT 54 F Marathon

86 KERSHISNIK LYNN ROCK SPRINGS WY 54 F Marathon

291 LARSEN TERESA SALT LAKE CITY UT 51 F Marathon

351 LEW SUSANNA LEHI UT 56 F Marathon

4 MADSEN LESLIE MANHATTAN MT 53 F Marathon

212 MARTINEZ DIANA HOLLADAY UT 58 F Marathon

2010 4th 5:01:35 55-59

66 MERTEN CYNDIE CORVALLIS OR 55 F Marathon

296 MIRABELLI DONNA SALT LAKE CITY UT 59 F Marathon             

56 MONSON MARSHA RIVERTON UT 56 F Marathon

284 POMPEO CHERI WOODINVILLE WA 59 F Marathon

22 PUGH JERI NEESE SALT LAKE CITY UT 59 F Marathon

180 RAMBO ERNIE LAS VEGAS NV 54 F Marathon
2009 4th 4:50:26 50-59

362 SCHWARTZ SANDRA SANTA CRUZ CA 52 F Marathon

290 TEBBS CAROLYN SALT LAKE CITY UT 59 F Marathon

386 WILDING ELENI OREM UT 52 F Marathon

251 YAMASHITA BETTY OGDEN UT 59 F Marathon

146 ZOCKOLL DEBBRA ST GEORGE UT 56 F Marathon

2010 1st 4:16:00 50-54
2009 1st 3:55:12 50-59

Basically I must run this in 6 hours to qualify for a medal. They changed the rules after I entered. It started out as "we wait for every runner" then moved to 6:30 and now it is 6 hours. This race was stolen from Mammoth Marathons and so I am not surprised what thieves will do. This is part of my MM plan and I am going forward.

The course: The course is a rolling downhill route. The first 18 or so miles are downhill or pretty flat, while the last 8 have some fairly substantial climbs. Please train and be ready for the uphill parts! There are a few steep pitches! Elevation gain of 269 ft. I can do it.

Crazy Course Fun Run

Today I ran the Draper Crazy Course Fun Run. It is a crazier than a 5K in that it is 3.3 miles instead of 3.1 miles. I ran with Cyndie. I dressed up as Pocahontas and Cyndie was Captain John Smith.

Captain John Smith - Cyndie 

Pocahontas - Me

Perfect weather with overcast and a temperature of 46 degrees. Rain threatened and was predicted but it never happened during the race. I did this race last year with Mike Davey's family. This year they didn't run. Too bad, it was awesome. A friendly, fun crowd. It was fun to dress up again in my Indian costume. It was fun to see the few others dressed up again this year:

I ended up beating this turkey to the finish.

Another Indian and a bare legged turkey.

Back of bare legged turkey.

Turkey hat.

On my run I saw a couple of cool things.

A real Zebra.

A metal dinosaur.

My official race time:

60  9604 Marsha Monson    Riverton   F5564   39:41.1

47  9610 Cyndie Nell   West Jordan    F3544   38:40.0

Times for women my age:

1  9545 Judy Farris       Draper         F5564   27:26.4

2  9644 Wendy VanDeKamp   SLC  F5564   32:39.6

3  9622 Lori Robinson     Draper       F5564   36:06.2

4  9604 Marsha Monson   Riverton   F5564   39:41.1

5  9665 Vicki Linton      Draper          F5564   40:14.1

6  9566 Shauna Harker     WJ           F5564   42:20.8

7  9542 Brenda Eggett     Murray      F5564   48:00.5

8  9626 Janet Rogers      Murray       F5564   52:17.9