Opportunity is a funny creature. It’s technically defined as a set of circumstances that make it possible to do something. I’m old enough now to have finally learned that opportunity will happen whether you expect it or not. Life is funny like that. 17-years ago I was pregnant with our 4th child and very contentedly [...]
Tag: Crohn’s Disease
Needles and a Prayer
Last summer, my daughter Bethany had a 10-week internship with PCL Construction in Denver, Colorado. So when a local pacing group was looking for volunteers for the 2022 Revel Rockies half marathon, I bought a $40 airplane ticket and signed up to help out; with the added bonus of spending a fun weekend with her. [...]
2022 Recap
My year in review 20 different races… 13 awards… and so many memories with the people I love. Runners really are phenomenal people! As 2022 passes into history, I’m grateful to remember what I’ve learned, experienced and how I’ve grown. The older I get, the more I realize it’s the simple things that bring happiness. [...]
Last One Standing…
A 3:00am Saturday alarm usually means one thing- it’s race day. When you’re running half marathon, you gotta get up early so you can have enough time to eventually be where you need to be in order to race. As I woke up early and prepared for my race, my gut felt a little achy. [...]
The First Time
The first event I ever ran in was a 5k in the summer of 2008. It was called the “Love Your Body 5k” and was part of a larger women’s only event that held the same title, and was sponsored by a local radio station. As I pulled into the park, I remember being nervous [...]
Growing into the Ultra-Marathon
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 [...]
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 [...]