I live in Vernal, OOTah now. I actually like it. Some of the things I've noticed in Vernal are...
1. All of the guys are short
2. Everyone has some kind of DOG. This is fine, but when I go running I am usually chased by a dozen or so dogs.
3. Rush hour consists of 500 big trucks on main street, and one MINI Coop.
4. Wal-Mart parking lot is the place to hang-out for some reason.
5. The big dinosaur downtown is decorated for every holiday.
6. The Elk's Lodge is a place to have a reception (who knows why anyone would have a reception there).
7. Bowling is just the thing to do in this town.
8. A trip to town consists of a 2 and half hour drive to SLC.
9. The town motto is, "Whoever has the most oil wins."
10. Hunter orange and cammo is always in fashion.
Just some of the things I've noticed, more to come I'm sure.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Did someone qualify?
Prayers were answered about 2 weeks ago. I got into the St. George Marathon, and it was by a miracle.
The St. George Marathon receives so much recognition because it's the fastest course in Utah, and one of the fastest courses in the U.S. The course is scenic, the volunteers are unlike any others, and again, it's fast. The way I would describe this marathon is,'God's running course.'
For certain athletes it takes about 3-12 months to recover from a marathon. I was a little concerned with my body because I had just ran a hard, 3:45 marathon in Logan. That would only give my body 2 weeks to recover before the next marathon. But taking mental inventory of my body, during the past year I have not had any injuries. Everything has been well maintained, thanks to the ice-baths that I jump into weekly. So without thinking twice I accepted the invitation to St. George.
The first week of recovery I hopped onto the spinning bike 3x for vigorous workouts. Then I ran twice that week, about 10 miles total. The following week I did speed intervals totaling in at about 12 miles. I usually pull 40-60 mile weeks, so I felt like a slug.
Race weekend came, and I became very excited that I was running this marathon. The forecast was showing it would be rainy the entire day of the race, I didn't care. I ate my pasta, and put my running shoes on.
Well, at the start line it started raining. It just kept raining, and it never stopped. With the rain came a harsh wind against us. Sometimes during the race the rain was coming at us sideways. I didn't care, in fact, I hardly noticed.
Before the race I searched for my pacer Andy. Andy's job was to run the marathon at exactly an 8:23 minute pace per mile, finishing at exactly 3:40. He did just that. It amazed me that he ran exactly the same every mile, using only a simple watch.
When I found him, I told myself that I would be glued to his side for the next few hours of my life. I did just that. I listened to Andy very intently as he spoke to the heard of 3:40 runners. At every hill we went up he talked us through it. I had to put myself a little in front of the group so I wouldn't trip on others that were behind Andy.
By the time mile 18 came I was completely running high on endorphins. Same thing at 20, 22, 24, and 25. It was incredible. I really thought that I just dreaming, I had to pinch myself to know that this was actually real. I didn't hit a wall the entire race. By the the last 5k I plowed to the finish at a 3:35. I remember thinking at the last mile, I can walk if I want to.
At the finish I sobbed. Other runners kind of looked at me, I didn't care. I called my family and told them about my accomplishment. I even took 5th in my division.
To this day, that is one of the most fulfilling experiences I've ever had. I've only been working toward this goal for 4 years. This April I'm joining 25,000 other runners from around the world to run the Boston marathon. It's amaziong what happens when we have goals.
How can I train differently so I can run faster next year? Hmmm, 3:20 anyone?
The St. George Marathon receives so much recognition because it's the fastest course in Utah, and one of the fastest courses in the U.S. The course is scenic, the volunteers are unlike any others, and again, it's fast. The way I would describe this marathon is,'God's running course.'
For certain athletes it takes about 3-12 months to recover from a marathon. I was a little concerned with my body because I had just ran a hard, 3:45 marathon in Logan. That would only give my body 2 weeks to recover before the next marathon. But taking mental inventory of my body, during the past year I have not had any injuries. Everything has been well maintained, thanks to the ice-baths that I jump into weekly. So without thinking twice I accepted the invitation to St. George.
The first week of recovery I hopped onto the spinning bike 3x for vigorous workouts. Then I ran twice that week, about 10 miles total. The following week I did speed intervals totaling in at about 12 miles. I usually pull 40-60 mile weeks, so I felt like a slug.
Race weekend came, and I became very excited that I was running this marathon. The forecast was showing it would be rainy the entire day of the race, I didn't care. I ate my pasta, and put my running shoes on.
Well, at the start line it started raining. It just kept raining, and it never stopped. With the rain came a harsh wind against us. Sometimes during the race the rain was coming at us sideways. I didn't care, in fact, I hardly noticed.
Before the race I searched for my pacer Andy. Andy's job was to run the marathon at exactly an 8:23 minute pace per mile, finishing at exactly 3:40. He did just that. It amazed me that he ran exactly the same every mile, using only a simple watch.
When I found him, I told myself that I would be glued to his side for the next few hours of my life. I did just that. I listened to Andy very intently as he spoke to the heard of 3:40 runners. At every hill we went up he talked us through it. I had to put myself a little in front of the group so I wouldn't trip on others that were behind Andy.
By the time mile 18 came I was completely running high on endorphins. Same thing at 20, 22, 24, and 25. It was incredible. I really thought that I just dreaming, I had to pinch myself to know that this was actually real. I didn't hit a wall the entire race. By the the last 5k I plowed to the finish at a 3:35. I remember thinking at the last mile, I can walk if I want to.
At the finish I sobbed. Other runners kind of looked at me, I didn't care. I called my family and told them about my accomplishment. I even took 5th in my division.
To this day, that is one of the most fulfilling experiences I've ever had. I've only been working toward this goal for 4 years. This April I'm joining 25,000 other runners from around the world to run the Boston marathon. It's amaziong what happens when we have goals.
How can I train differently so I can run faster next year? Hmmm, 3:20 anyone?
Monday, September 22, 2008
No Boston, once again...
I did not qualify for the Boston marathon, came within 5 minutes once again. The race course was great, the weather was beautiful, I was all there until mile 22. I was proud of myself for hanging in so long, then my mind went hay-wire. I tried to push myself through the drastic wall, but I could not manage to do it. I felt good with the 3:45 finish I pulled, but I still have the will to do it again, until I achieve my goal. I did take second in my division, so it felt really nice to be recognized for my time.
TOU (Top of Utah) marathon made my top three marathon list. The list goes like this: 1.St.George 2.TOU 3. Salt Lake City. Those are my favorite races of the six different marathons I have ran in Utah. Usually I can judge how a race is going to be by the shirt you get. (sad, but true). Those three races have produced my favorite shirts as well.
This past weekend I went to Body Worlds in SLC. What an amazing exhibit! If anyone gets the chance to go, do not pass it up. I studied kinesiology in college and we went to the cadaver lab a few times. Cadaver's have nothing on these bad boys in the exhibit. This exhibit takes human anatomy to a completely new level. Anyone that is fascinated with the human body will appreciate it!
TOU (Top of Utah) marathon made my top three marathon list. The list goes like this: 1.St.George 2.TOU 3. Salt Lake City. Those are my favorite races of the six different marathons I have ran in Utah. Usually I can judge how a race is going to be by the shirt you get. (sad, but true). Those three races have produced my favorite shirts as well.
This past weekend I went to Body Worlds in SLC. What an amazing exhibit! If anyone gets the chance to go, do not pass it up. I studied kinesiology in college and we went to the cadaver lab a few times. Cadaver's have nothing on these bad boys in the exhibit. This exhibit takes human anatomy to a completely new level. Anyone that is fascinated with the human body will appreciate it!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wow!!! How long has it been since the last time I blogged? I will update you on my life quickly.
I have a new job. Yes, I will be teaching dance once again at an elementary school. I am teaching in Vernal, Utah. I know, it is a little far from home, but the past few days haven't been so bad here.
The position is full time, and the school isn't as big as the last one I taught at (425 students, verses 1300). The grades are k-5, therefore I won't be dealing with 6th graders.
Today is the day I'm suppose to be putting paper on my walls to decorate. Yikes, my room doesn't look as cute as the ones I'm used to seeing. Teachers, I have to hand it to you, you have a lot of patience dealing with long pieces of butcher paper that move to places you don't want them going. AWWW. FRUSTRATION.
Satruday is yet another marathon that I have trained SERIOUSLY for. The past 16 weeks I have pushed speed and endurance, pulling some 50+ mile weeks. We'l l see if this is the race that will take me to Boston. My average half marathon paces have dropped, putting me at 1:41-1:42 finshes. (That is good)
Peace out for now!
I have a new job. Yes, I will be teaching dance once again at an elementary school. I am teaching in Vernal, Utah. I know, it is a little far from home, but the past few days haven't been so bad here.
The position is full time, and the school isn't as big as the last one I taught at (425 students, verses 1300). The grades are k-5, therefore I won't be dealing with 6th graders.
Today is the day I'm suppose to be putting paper on my walls to decorate. Yikes, my room doesn't look as cute as the ones I'm used to seeing. Teachers, I have to hand it to you, you have a lot of patience dealing with long pieces of butcher paper that move to places you don't want them going. AWWW. FRUSTRATION.
Satruday is yet another marathon that I have trained SERIOUSLY for. The past 16 weeks I have pushed speed and endurance, pulling some 50+ mile weeks. We'l l see if this is the race that will take me to Boston. My average half marathon paces have dropped, putting me at 1:41-1:42 finshes. (That is good)
Peace out for now!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
About a Week and a Half!!!
May 30 is the last day of class, I am so excited! One of the plus sides of teaching will occur in only a few short days. Many have asked, "What will you do with your time?" I reply with a smile, "I'm not sure, but I guess I will figure it out." Hiking, swimming, and of course running will be where a lot of my time will be spent.
I am going to miss Pony Express and all of the friends I have made. The days of non-stop laughter with Mary, spastic children calling me Miss Rampton, and the smell of school lunch cooking in the room next door. And of course Mark, the ultimate crop-duster :).
The marathon was not as enjoyable as I planned, to say the least. I was on my planned schedule, and at mile 10 I decided I was finished. I walked and then ran, walked some more and felt really tired. I've never really witness the reality of a horrible race, but that day I did. Guess there's always another race. I did finish, only because I wanted the medal.
I am going to miss Pony Express and all of the friends I have made. The days of non-stop laughter with Mary, spastic children calling me Miss Rampton, and the smell of school lunch cooking in the room next door. And of course Mark, the ultimate crop-duster :).
The marathon was not as enjoyable as I planned, to say the least. I was on my planned schedule, and at mile 10 I decided I was finished. I walked and then ran, walked some more and felt really tired. I've never really witness the reality of a horrible race, but that day I did. Guess there's always another race. I did finish, only because I wanted the medal.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
2 wEeKs
Officially I have 2 weeks until my next marathon, which is the Ogden Marathon. I am so pumped! I have been training with a local running group called locomotion. (runloco.com) They are fantastic! I love running with these folks because they are my parents age, or older. This boosts my confidence as I run in the front pack. Pretty lame? Yes. Well, if I ran with people my age I would get smoked, so I stick with those that are experienced runners. But I feel confident for my race. I have put in my long runs (22, 18, 13, 10 etc.), and I feel good.
I have about 20 days left of teaching and then I am let loose. So far my job hunt for next year isn't going so great. I keep crossing my fingers that the 'perfect' dance job will come along. We'll see. But summer is always an exciting time for me to relax and escape reality.
My sister will be on 'Good Things Utah' on June 18. She will be demonstrating her faux food making skills. Everyone please tune in for the show. She will also be at local open houses selling her product. Again, to take a peek at her products hit the Jenni B. link on my page.
I have about 20 days left of teaching and then I am let loose. So far my job hunt for next year isn't going so great. I keep crossing my fingers that the 'perfect' dance job will come along. We'll see. But summer is always an exciting time for me to relax and escape reality.
My sister will be on 'Good Things Utah' on June 18. She will be demonstrating her faux food making skills. Everyone please tune in for the show. She will also be at local open houses selling her product. Again, to take a peek at her products hit the Jenni B. link on my page.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
SpRiNg BrEaK!!!
Yep, it's Spring Break, and I am one happy gal. Nothing planned but working at the old serving job. It seems like everyone from Pony Express are going to cool places. Mary is heading back to good ol' Arizona, Cindi singing her way to 'Wicked' in L.A., and sweet Jill visiting Mexico on a cruise. As for me, I guess I will be enjoying the sunshine in Utah.
During the break will focus my attention toward running. I am training for the Ogden Marathon in May. Hopefully I will be qualifying for the Boston marathon. Guess I better cut off the chocolate cake. That stuff pretty much slows me down, if you know what I mean.
Another thing, if you don't know this by now, my sister is famous. She has been on Martha Stewart demonstrating the creation of the 'Original' Jenni B faux food. Wish I could just settle with faux food, but that doesn't seem to work. Anyway, check out her blog. She is listed in my friends.
That is good enough for me with whole blog thing. Don't really know what to say, but I'll keep you posted.
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