"Running has given me the courage to start, the determination to keep trying, and the childlike spirit to have fun along the way. Run often and run long, but never outrun your joy of running." - Julie Isphording (Olympic Runner)
I don't consider myself a experienced runner, barely even a runner actually. I have only done about 8 races, but this last weekend I did an experiment. I haven't trained for a race since I did the Wasatch Back Relay in June. After that, Traci - my dedicated and fast running partner, decided that we should run The Other Half Marathon in Moab on October 21st. On an impulse I agreed to run and in the next breath decided that I didn't feel like training for it. Instead, I would do my regular gym routine without running and see if I could manage on race day. Silly, I know, but an experiment all the same. Months past and the day of the race crept quickly upon us. Last Saturday, Traci, Bonnie and I packed up the explorer and left snowy SLC, and headed for Moab. After four hours of girl talk we arrived in Moab, picked up our race packets and checked into the Apache Motel - "Where John Wayne Stayed." Old, inexpensive, but surprisingly very clean, I was quite content with the rooming choice. After a night of eating, talking, and getting a call from the front desk asking us to quite down because people were running the next day... we went to bed.
5:30 am, Sunday, I open my eyes just enough to see the alarm clock. 15 minutes before I have to get up... MAN, I hate when I do that! I could hear water running and see the light coming from the bathroom with my squinty eyes. I knew Traci was already up. I put the pillow over my head and thought, what kind of crazy sport is this that I have to wake up 3 hours before the race even starts! Knowing I had no choice because soon the alarm clock and 2 cell phone alarms would be going off ,forcing me out of bed, I got up. We changed our clothes, pinned on our race numbers and bundled up since we would be up the canyon an hour before the race started and it was 35 degrees outside. Bonnie drove Traci and I to the runner drop off, there we boarded the shuttle buses that would take us to the top of the canyon to start the race.
On the bus we were surrounded by excited runners and rumblings of each runner telling the stranger sitting next to them how and when they started running, Traci and I fell asleep. When we arrived at the starting line near the top of the canyon the sun had risen. The sky was gray, but slowly the clouds were moving showing signs of a beautiful day. The air was cool and crisp. All I could think was, they better have a fire here to huddle around because the 4 shirts and tiger striped gloves I have on are not doing the trick. Traci and I quickly found an opening at one of the 10 fire pits and claimed our spots. The fire felt nice, but the pessimist in me knew the smell of camp fire was permeating my clothes and hair, something I would just have to smell for the next few hours.
20 minutes before the race was about to start Traci decided to brave the 100 yd line to the port-o-potty's while I stayed at the fire observing the runners around me. There were 2 girls from Chicago, who had flown to SLC just to run and see the mountains and red rock. A mother and daughter so dolled up they could have been in a fashion show huddling close to stay warm. 3 friends talking about how nervous they were and didn't want to be the last to cross the finish line. The time finally came, 8:20, time to strip off all the extra layers of clothing, set the heart rate monitor get and the iPod ready. Traci and I walked to the starting line. The clouds had disappeared and blue sky was all we could see. We are very lucky, I thought, this race is already off to a good start. Approx. 1,500 runners stood in a clump waiting for the sound of something to indicate it was time to go. I didn't hear any kind of signal, but the crowd began to move quickly across the starting line. My foot crossed the line, I hit the start button on my iPod and heart rate monitor and thought, here we go...
The first 2 miles felt good. I stared at the mountains as I ran wondering why I don't take time more often to enjoy the views that Utah has to offer. The girls from Chicago stopped to take a picture. At every mile marker I looked at my watch. Pacing my miles just to see where I was. Water stops every 2 miles, I took advantage of that. Miles 2 - 4 felt even better. I was getting into the groove although I was already grumbling because I could still smell the campfire in my hair and on my shirt. I was enjoying MXPX blaring in my ears and watching as each runner found their pace and took their place on the canyon road. By mile 4 I started counting down, 9 miles left! I was in single digits now... the first big milestone of the race. When mile 6 came I could feel myself losing the energy I had before. My pace was slowing and my IT bands were aching. Not even half way yet . They were handing out CLIF shots on the side of the road. I took one, mango flavor, I have never tried one before... ha, i suppose now is as good as time as to try it. I squirted the mango flavored goo in my mouth, took a drink of water and went on my way. It wasn't terrible. I don't know if it was the CLIF shot or my fabulous music, but my energy returned. Mile 6.5 is when the hills started. Up, up, up, down for a minute and then up all over again. I won't lie, it was hard, but I reminded myself how lucky I am to have a body that can sustain the impact. At mile 10 as I climbed the last hill listening to Metallica, Turn the Page, on my iPod I could hear the faint sound of drums. I looked up and immediately saw 8 people at the top of the hill pounding on huge congo-type drums and shouting words of encouragement to the runners passing. I paused my iPod, listened to the drums and watched as each runner's legs began to move in sync to the beat. That's when I knew I was surrounded by an amazing group of people who, for whatever reason, were pushing themselves to be a better person. I rounded the top of that last hill, and when I got to mile 11 I could look down the canyon and see the finish line. The last 2.1 miles were easy and as I crossed the finish line I looked at Traci and said, "I would do that again to burn 1,500 calories."
The conclusion to my experiment...
1 - My body can run 13 miles without any obvious problems.
2 - Hills are hard, especially when you haven't trained.
3 - When I got to the top and could see the finish line, I took a deep breath, amazed I could breathe and ready to do it again next year.
I finally got to see the white alligator at Hogle Zoo on Saturday! Ryan and I braved the Halloween crowds of kids dressed up and trick-or-treating at the zoo (very cute kids, might I add). We thought this Wednesday was the alligator's last day at the zoo and knew there was no way we would make it up there on a work day before 5pm. Turns out - a) the white alligator is pretty awesome! and b) he will be there for another year....
