Smithfield Health Days

This was our family's first year going to the Smithfield Health Days in our little town. I heard it was a great event from a lot of people, and last year it got rained out so we weren't able to go.  My neighbor gave me a free entry for the race the morning of the event and was so kind to give one to me.  I was a lot more motivated to do races when I lived in Idaho, but that drive completely left me once I moved to Utah. I have toyed with signing up for races, but didn't really know which one.

I did next to no training to prepare for the race, but I do love going to HIGH which is a pretty intense cardio workout. I signed up to run the 10K knowing I could always switch to the 5K at the race. Once it was race time I turned my brain off, got in line with the 10Kers and just went for it. Honestly, it wasn't nearly as terrible of an experience as I was expecting. Yes I could hardly go up and down stairs for the next two days after the race, because I used muscles my body wasn't use to using, but the actual race was just the right amount to challenge me, but not kill me  :) I ended up getting 3rd place in my age group too and even got a medal. Yay me!

Right after the race I went home and we loaded up pretty quick to get to the parade. It was nice going to a parade where we weren't sitting in the scorching heat! The girls got a lot of candy and a few frisbees and I came away with a few coupons. It was a great time for all!

That night Brian came with me on a mystery shop to Five Guys = free date night.

Christmas 5k race

This last Saturday I ran in a 5k race at Snake River Landing and Brian and the girls ran a 1 mile fun run and wow was I impressed with these little runners! Emmy ran the entire mile without stopping! She said it felt like tarantulas were crawling up and down her throat and that it was burning! Sadie said she was grabbing show along the race to eat and Brian said Bree ran the first half mile of the race without stopping! When she got to the finish line she was running in a zig zag, so I am guessing she ran more than a mile :) These theme was Santa of course and also Christmas pajamas so we all threw together what we could find. My beard was surprising a great running accessory and I could use it to stay warm when I needed it.

 

Sadie made a sign to hold up for me for the run and then later told me that it was for me to hold when she ran! I love that is says...."Go Ho"! Such an innocent little girl!

My Summer of Races

One of my goals of 2014 was to run a half marathon. It had actually been one of my goals for a few years, but I have always been to nervous to actually sign up for one. I read some quote online and I'll paraphrase...Do something that scares you everyday. 

Well, I'm not sure if that is really how I want to live my life, but because I read that quote I decided to sign up for not one, but three half marathons! They were suppose to be spread out throughout the summer, but the 2nd race ended up being rescheduled, so I had two races back-to-back on consecutive Saturdays. 

This was actually really great for me because I felt like I learned so much from running my first race and I shaved about ten minutes off of my time on my second race! 

The three races I ran were

Kelly Canyon Half Marathon

Idaho Falls Half Marathon

and the Thirteen Point One

There was a photographer at each race, which was awesome to get some action shots (even if I was being kind of a dork in a lot of them)! One of the tips I read online the night before my first race was to just have fun on your first race and not to take it too seriously. Check!

The routes of some of these races were the same as I had done previous years where the race had only been 3 or 5 miles. While I was running I was just thinking about how far I had come and was kind of proud of myself (I know I sound like a goober)! There is a lot of time to think while running 13.1 miles. A few of the other things I thought about was the zip lining and para sailing in Cabo. Something about the smooth and carefree gliding feeling helped me make it through some rough patches of the race.

Kelly Canyon Half Marathon

 

I also thought a lot about these cuties I'd have waiting for me at the finish line. Emmy was SOOOO excited when I gave her my medal. I told Sadie she would get one next week.  I love that Brian had the girls make me a sign, and that he would go through the effort of getting three little girls ready, fed, and to the finish line so many mornings! I have such a supportive, cute, amazing husband!!

Idaho Falls Half Marathon

Thirteen Point One

This race was in September and was really really cold compared to the summer weather I was used to running in.

Stoked

Last night out of nowhere Brian committed to running the MADD half marathon with me in July! It is so nice to have a partner and not have to do it alone because it was giving me some anxiety, but I am so excited to do it now! I told him if we just love it there is the one at Mesa Falls that I've always wanted to do too.Yay!

 Here are some oldies (but goodies)!

Summer Races

Brian and I have been doing a few races this summer. The last one we did was the MADD run which was the same day as our ward softball tournament so we were pretty dead by the end of the day. This is our second year doing this race and we assumed it started at the park next to our house like last year, but about ten minutes before the race was to start the park was completely deserted so we rushed to Snake River Landing where it actually started and made it just in time. It was fun running a new course we weren't used too. There was quite a bit of incline on this run, but I still improved my time by 3 minutes in the 10K. We signed the girls up for a Fun Run and they both got a free t-shirt and running numbers, but we had a softball game at the same time and we were the team captains so we couldn't really leave. The girls were super excited about the thought of it though, so I want to find another run for them sometime soon.

MADD Run - July 28th

 Bone to Back - June 23rd
This was my first race back since having a baby and I actually felt better running it compared to last year. My team went all out and decorated the van and made tails and had a lot of team comradary. I felt bad that I sort of just showed up ran my leg and then had to be home to help take care of children, but still I always love doing the Bone to Back race. 

Firekracker Run - July 4th
This was Brian and my third year doing the Firekracker run and it has become our 4th of July tradition! We always have to wake everyone up early though and it turns out to be a long day, but this year we did the run, went to the parade and then took a long nap, so I think it turned out to be a great day (but I'll post all about that later). Devin and Neesha were up visiting from Colorado and it was nice to leave the kids at Grandmas and Papa's house and have an early morning activity together. 

 

I took this picture of of the vector timing facebook page.


I am trying to convince Brian to do one more race with me this year, but we can't decide which one. Any suggestions? I am thinking either a 1/2 marathon or a 10K.