Winter in Utah's high desert climate is really challenging for me. For years I used to hide away from all the cold, wind and snow and pass my days inside on the treadmill. Every year when summer faded and fall's beauty swiftly left, I would struggle with seasonal depression. In 2016, I hit a tipping [...]
Looking Back…
If race medals could talk.. 2020 was definitely a year for the record books right? So, when I saw a racing company offer a virtual half marathon race featuring a "commemorative" 2020 medal, I naturally signed up. Not because I need another racing bib and medal to hang up, but mostly because if you would've [...]
Enduring Well…
As I mentioned previously, the Timp half-marathon was one of my planned summer racing events. Saturday morning began early with my thoughts focused on the people I was running for. I woke up at 3:00am to get ready when I received a Facebook notification that my husband’s aunt, NaTel had passed away only 2 hours [...]
A Pleasant Surprise
A few weeks ago, Coach Paul and I had a discussion about the remainder of my summer racing season. With my next marathon about 70 days away, it's important to find the balance between training and racing. I found out last fall just how delicate that balance can be when I ran 3-half marathons, three [...]
Double Trouble
Anytime I finish a big race, I’ve already got something else on the docket. However, running a 50-mile ultra-marathon is no joke. It’s common running advice to take some time off after a marathon. Some experts even recommend 1-day off per mile raced. While that seems like great exercise theory in the science lab, the [...]
The Alternative Route
I've been dealing with Crohn's Disease since 2002. I've gone the immune-suppressing medicine route (Prednisone, Pentasa, Imuran and Entocort) but I hate the side effects these meds have on my body. (Blood work every 6-8 weeks, constant upper respiratory infection, insomnia, unwanted hair growth, weight gain, to name just a few) In late 2006 I [...]
Squaw Peak 50
In February 2018, when I finally earned my BQ marathon time, I considered what my long term running goals might be. I had been running for over 10-years and had pondered the idea of an ultra-marathon for a while, as it intrigued me. I knew what running a marathon felt like, but what about an [...]
The 2019 Boston Marathon
Late on the evening Friday, April 12th, my family and I boarded a plane for Boston, Massachusetts. It was a very late redeye flight, but the kids and I were excited to go. For 1 year, 1 month and 19 days- after my qualifying race at the Phoenix marathon in Mesa, Arizona- I had anticipated [...]
The Elephant in the Room
Last Saturday a 10-mile run was on the docket as my final "long run" of this marathon training cycle. When a friend mentioned that Emigration Canyon was hosting a 10-mile race and the dates coincided; I opted to sign up and run as a fitting end to my long winter and early spring training. I've [...]
Time Trial- Fitness Test
It's 16 days out from the Boston Marathon... and I’m cautiously optimistic! 😁💙💛🦄 Today’s half marathon was a time trial to see what my marathon pace would feel like on a rolling hill course, which is exactly what the Boston Marathon is. Racing conditions were actually perfect... sunny, cool and hardly any wind. On any [...]