Champagne-Urbana ILLINOIS COMPLETE!

Naragansett. RHODE ISLAND April 2011

Faster qualifier than Boston....Windy, cold, but a fast course with fast runners. 3:44 Quads were tight and hurt at finish....Head wind from the Atlantic...Ran through all water stops! A fast group of runners, couldn't really enjoy the race...Loved the drive up from New York...Stayed with Christina Nicholas' sister...Wonderful hostess, but will not do yoga again before a marathon...It about did me in....I am totally out of shape! Will always remember the clams and linguini, roasted buckwheat, avocado and amino's for breakfast and getting lost in Manhattan! Was able to attend the temple in Manhattan...Loved that and central park...The met was also very enjoyable...As far as missionary work at the expo the night before, talked with a dutchman about the church and not running on Sunday. He talked to me about the demise of his native country because of lack of values...Interesting....Also others were involved with conversation about the sabbath and our church....Attended church in Queens...Wonderful ward...Loved the race even though I had to run SUPER FAST!

LBJ Grasslands Ultra 50 Mile Run

I can't say this was the smartest thing I ever did, in fact it was probably the most stupid thing I ever did. Since Andrew was coming home from his mission, and he would be coming into Dallas Fort Worth airport before heading to SLC, I decided to surprise him at before mentioned airport and ride with him to SLC thus getting him all to myself for 3 hours....I thought wouldn't it be great to find a marathon near this airport...I started looking and found the Lyndon B. Johnson Grasslands Ultra marathon. I thought how hard could 50 miles be? HA HA HA! After 11 hours of running in sand up to my ankle, I can tell you it was hard. Sand was everywhere....In my shoes and socks which made me have to take off my shoes and dump every 10 minutes the last 12 miles of the run...The food I was eating was sandy from the wind, and to top it off it was 85 degrees! Utah had been around 30 degrees, so a big change in temp which made it even more miserable...I fell at about mile 36. Henry a CPA from Oklahoma who was following me said it was the best swan dive he ever saw, he also said sorry but I can't help you up...He was pooped! Because of the sweat, after falling I looked like Lot's wife but covered in sand! My heel was bleeding, and my toes had blisters...Lost 2 toenails and the use of my legs at mile 40. I couldn't get them to work! Scared me to death...I couldn't will them to run. After eating about 2 pounds of fruit snacks at the next rest area, the legs decided to work again. That's when I realized how important sugar consumption was. I had gospel conversations with Henry as he helped me in....He heard about Mason and his melanoma, Andrew and his mission to Argentina, my testimony of the truthfulness of this church...In return he gave me some great advice on how to run ultra's. He was a God sent to me. I ran about 2 minutes to every 5 walked in the end miles, but came in 2nd place overall woman...First place woman beat me in by only 1 hour. I would have photo's of the sandy horse trails I ran, (the blue, yellow, white and red horseshoes) but I left my camera in the Enterprise Rent A Car, and of course they couldn't find it....I don't think I ever want to run this race again, but I'm glad I had the courage to finish....I was blessed indeed...Just a side note...Henry warned me the day after it would feel like it did after running my first marathon....He was right!!!! It took me 3 days to walk right again....It was a real strain on my body...Usually I have no pain after a marathon!
Extra notes about Decatur and surrounding area: Church is strong in Texas...Decatur ward incredible, temple staff dedicated and many attending, Fort Worth my favorite city because of the many museums...Will never forget the wings statue in the museum of Modern Art, I felt as if those wings wrapped around my entire car the night I found out Andrew had missed his flight and was coming home via Atlanta on Friday...Missed Andrew altogether....The Lord's helped me envision his love for me through these wings....The cowboy art was incredible but the run of the bulls was silly in downtown Fort Worth....

HILO TO VOLCANO ULTRA January 22, 2011

WOW, Hawaii's a dreamland...I could have stayed forever...The Temple, climate, food and kindness of the people what more could you ask for? After a lengthy 3 legged flight I arrived in a very warm and tropical environment with my thermal shirt and downed vest on...The security guards at the airport, just laughed as I immediately began shedding clothes...After finding my car, (I had to be driven by a sweet Hawaiian Girl to the enterprise car rental in Kona) I immediately went to the temple and did an endowment...I was so tired in this session, and then I realized that when I finished at 9:30PM, it was 12:30AM Utah time! I found a place to sleep by a local McDonald's and boy did I sleep...When I woke up the next morning I couldn't believe how beautiful everything was...I knew I had to get to Hilo, so I drove south to Hilo around the lower end of the island to Volcano...I was in amazement of the ocean, stopping to take pictures along my journey. I couldn't believe how blessed I was to be in Hawaii thinking of all my family at home.... I brought a suitcase full of food so I was good to go..When I arrived at Volcano I was surprised to learn that Mount Kilauea was an active volcano...They wouldn't let anyone hike to the volcano since it had just erupted on Monday taking out another house in it's path of lava flow...I did however hike under a lava tunnel in this subtropical rain forest...IT WAS INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL and interesting! I also went down south to see where the road had been destroyed and had stopped all travel on it due to the many eruptions that had taken place over the years. Hardened Lava covered the once used road. I walked about a mile on it marveling at the destruction a volcano can do...Not a typical site in Utah...I then went up north and took a guided tour with Eddie a native Hawaiian around the petroglyphs in the park. I was amazed at how religious the petroglyphs were, and how many...INCREDIBLE! A cute returned missionary that taught the gospel principles class in the Hilo ward said that their people came from Hagoth. He is the name of the explorer in the book of Nephi that went and took people into the isles of the sea...I don't know about this for fact, but I do know the Hawaiian people knew God, and they knew how important the family was.
I then went to HILO. The elevation loss was dramatic, then I realized that I was driving the marathon course backwards...I didn't like thinking that I would be running this 32 mile course tomorrow, ALL UPHILL!...I never like to study the course before I run...It makes me nervous and here I was driving it! I stopped at the Mauna Loa Macadamia plant to partake of some very fattening but yummy macadamia's. I didn't feel too guilty since I would be running an Ultra the next day, so I enjoyed the taste of each nut.... I checked in for the race and received my packet. I questioned the race director why he didn't run the race going down from the Volcano....All he said was you will thank me the next day for running uphill....Downhill is hard on your feet and legs.... It was a very simple check in, with no expo. I then got everything ready for the early start the next morning....6AM! After walking around Coconut Beach I settled down I slept pretty soundly anticipating the run the next morning... I was up at 4:30, and was dressed and ready to go by 5:30...The race started at Coconut Beach...A cute girl name Amy and her equally cute and nice boyfriend Keu, supported me on this race...NO ONE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A SELF SUPPORTED RACE...I was very grateful to KEU...He set aside peeled oranges for us every 2 miles along with granola bars, gel, sport drinks, and water...I thanked him at each stop, I was so grateful for his service. He would always say NO WORRIES! The race was dark to start, and we had to wait for traffic lights climbing out of the city which didn't help any of our times...There was a lot of traffic on the road and could have been hazardous if I hadn't worn reflective clothing. We, (Sally, Amy and I) were running three abreast with the traffic. I was grateful for everyone's prayers during this portion of the race. The conversation from the three of us kept our minds busy and aloof from the task at hand, running uphill 32 miles...It was so hot to start, around 70 degrees...The natives were cold, but I felt I was in a giant sauna....I had to shed my shirt at 6 miles since I was used to 20 degree runs in Utah. I told the girls I was LDS, and the story of how I began running...I told the about our church, and also about my Andrew serving a mission in Salta Argentina...They were interested...Amy had recently separated from her husband and had found a new love in Keu. Sally was happily married to the RD that makes a mean Tofu soup....YUMMY! It was served at the finish line. They were both mothers and loved living in Hawaii...After 1/2 marathon, Amy began to get busy and run faster up the hill...She was like a nanny goat...Sally fell behind and I kept pushing forward the best I was able...Since I was running slowly I noticed how beautiful it was, but I also noticed how much trash there was on the roadways...I hope the Hawaiian people will take better care of their natural resources by not littering...Their land is incredible, I hope they realize this! The run did not get easier, in fact negative thoughts kept bounding into my mind...I considered quitting at 26.2 saying I am only supposed to do a marathon in every state, but not an ultra...Through the faith I have in my brother Jesus Christ and through the knowledge that I know he loves me and wants me succeed at this goal and complete the race I was able to endure to the end... Every time I felt like stopping I found new strength in my Saviors love....I give all glory to my Heavenly Father who created me...For I do not boast in my own strength. I was never so excited to see the finish line...I FINISHED THE RACE!!!! I was awarded with a crocheted lei, and a medal at the finish....It was hand made by a local older Hawaiian runner...I can't remember her name, but she was so cute and kind.. The food was divine even though I wasn't very hungry...Keu had kept me well fed through the race...Home grown oranges, tangerines and mandarins abounded as well as bananas. The local running club had made many batches of soups and breads...It hit the spot ...I won the masters grand champion with a time of 5:25. The prize was a bag of coffee beans and a graphic print...The coffee beans I gave away, and the graphic print of a Hawaiian running I will frame...It is awesome...Larry Macon was at the end, and was flying out to run Maui the next day. He's incredible...After the race I caught a ride back to start...I rode with a macadamia nut farmer named Sheila. She told me not to buy any nuts from Mauna Loa since their nuts are shipped in from the Philippines. SAD! She also told me to go to a local farmers market in HILO which I did and had a blast...I couldn't believe the yummy fruit and vegetables they had...WOW! I could live here...The locals told me where to find a shower. I showered for free at a local fitness center, they were so nice, and went back to the farmers market to buy more strawberry papaya, apple bananas, liches, pineapple and coconut water...MMMMMM...I met a local painter that was also a runner and told her about the LDS church, and also a father selling produce with his family...In fact they were the ones that told me where to find the local LDS Church for services the next day...I found the church then went to rainbow falls and seen the incredible beauty that Heavenly Father and Jesus created for us. I met a darling woman making baskets out of palm leaves there...Her last name was WATSON...We started talking about our families that both came from England, she was half English and Hawaiian and then the gospel just came into it. I told her I was LDS and asked if she wanted to attend church with me...She said no...It was all good...I then took her picture...SHe said I am so not pretty, and I said Yes, you are! Don't you realize you are a child of GOD? She was so kind...I wish I would have bought a basket from her...The next morning I attended church and found many opportunities to strengthen others testimonies in Gospel Principles class and in Relief Society...Everyone was so kind...I loved the ward...After church I went to a botanical garden, and then AKAKA FALLS...After sleeping overnight in Waimea, Monday morning I hiked to the bottom of Waimea Valley where an incredible black sand beach lies. You have to hike straight down for a mile and then straight up on the return... On the way down, I had a cute Korean boy pick me up...He had a kayak on his truck, and as we were going down this steep hill the kayak slipped forward blocked the vision of this boy...He slammed on his brakes just before we went over the cliff! YIKES he quickly put on the emergency brake and pulled the kayak back on the truck...He was so kind and offered me water and iodine tablets for my hike ahead since I wasn't prepared...I hiked the kings trail, which was incredibly beautiful...I found huge oranges, bananas and cocoa growing wildly throughout the trail. A VERY HIKEABLE TRAIL...Getting out of the valley was very easy...I was asked if I wanted a ride by some other kind folks driving a 4-wheel drive... It was easy to say yes to them looking at the steep trail that loomed ahead...Monday turned out to be a great day...Tuesday I did some temple work for Nicholas' family he had sent to the temple...It was an enjoyable temple session. I then traversed the city of Kona and saw where the ironman started...MAYBE SOMEDAY? The swimming in the ocean part freaks me out..Wednesday I also attended the temple, and went over the pass to Hilo for some more farmers market fun...Thursday morning I got lost running and almost didn't make it to the temple. Only by the tender mercies of the Lord, I was able to hitch a ride back to the condo where the Thomas' so graciously let me stay at for three nights... The rescuer was a crazy chinese man that wore a neck brace and said the F word in every sentence...I thought thanks for the rescue but why with this man? After the temple I sat at the resort Clay and Janet are members of...The resort was very beautiful...I watched the whales, the ocean and the people...It was peaceful and calm...Hawaii is incredible, I knew I would miss this part of the world when I bid farewell to the Thomas's and left for the airport...It was a sad time for all her were leaving Hawaii on this 9:45PM airflight...No one wanted to leave especially when one had a three legged airflight home...I slept all the way to LAX, also to SEATTLE, but flying back to SLC I had a lively conversation with a cute 30 year old called NICHOLAS...GO FIGURE...NOW IT'S TIME TO GET BACK TO WORK...SAY GOODBYE TO PARADISE....

Rehoboth Beach Marathon (Delaware)

This marathon was a 10 in the marathon world...More about the marathon later...Arriving in Philadelphia on Thursday the 9th of December was like arriving in SIBERIA...The days light was almost gone and I needed to pick up my friend Nicholas at a bus station in the middle of Phily...The flight was uneventful other that I listened to Chinese pod with a kind gentleman from Phily who was a toxologist...He had been in SLC for a business meeting. It was very interesting listening to how he began studying Mandarin..
I wasn't expecting the traffic to be so congested...It took me longer than expected to pick up Nicholas when I finally arrived at the station, and finally connected it was a welcome reunion..We toured the station which was a hub to many East coast commuters..Unique architecture with large marble columns is what I remember...
After greeting each other we left for Nicholas' niece Leah's home in the middle of Phily...We found the house without too much difficulty, greeting 2 darling, educated girls that were very hospitable to graciously open their doors to and let us spend the night. After meeting Leah and Lauren and getting settled we went to an Indian restaurant which was yummy! I had chickpeas w a spicy red sauce over the top...MMMM, is all I can say. All of the food we ordered was incredible after sampling each....Lauren and Leah then took us to buy Gelato..I wasn't too excited about this since we were already in Siberia freezing to death, but when we arrived at the shop, it was warm inside and the varieties of Gelato were not to be missed...Orange Cardamon, Rosemary Goat Milk, Kiwi, Grape, Walnut, of course I had to taste them all... They let you sample as many as you liked...Nicholas and I settled on Kiwi...Yummy! Better than Frozen Yogurt! Later that night after conversing with our hostesses I slept on their couch in a nice warm sleeping bag Nicholas had packed so toasty. Their house was cold and drafty since it was old...Little mice were nibbling through everything including Nicholas' candy I had made for him...Leah and Lauren were renovating the house, and it was incredible to see what they had accomplished since purchasing...Hard worker and IKEA...
The next morning we packed up after breakfast (Nicholas had to pack up a huge backpack he brought since he thought we might be camping outside) and started our journey to the US mint...I wanted to get some more coins for Andrew's collection...After a few near death driving adventures going down a one way street, running red lights etc., Nicholas was not in a very good mood...Anyway we made it to the mint, found the state quarters and special collections I had come for, and then Nicholas wanted a tour...The mint is across the street from Benjamin Franklin's gravesite...Needless to say our time ran out on the parking meter and we were ticketed by the nimble parking police. Did you know that these zippy parking elves have radar sensitive ears that know immediately when the time is up on the meter. We were ticketed in less than 5 minutes...TOURIST'S BEWARE! I refused to pay the ticket so Nicholas did!
After an intense discussion on payment of the ticket, we left for Rehoboth...What an adventure we had getting to Rehoboth...I had just purchased a new TOM TOM on black friday...IT WAS HORRIBLE! It's coordinates were off and it sent us to infinity and beyond! Anyway we made it to Rehoboth taking the long boat to China route...I was able to find food along the road and everything worked out fine...It wasn't too difficult finding race headquarters and the bright side of all the wrong turns trying to get to rehoboth was that is was warmer!!!! YES!!!!! I felt more confident about the race. The RD's were kind, knowledgable and well organized...The town was like Mayberry...It was charming to say the least...Nicholas ate at the restaurant that was advertised as the all you can eat pasta feast, which was next door to the race headquarters. Nicholas indulged on the pasta, but I needed to be careful...My tummy wasn't feeling good...HOWEVER...I met many good friends in the restaurant and became acquainted with new friend...Dave Bell, and Mama Jean to mention a few....Dave Bell is respectful of my decision to honor the sabbath and not run...He is a good man... Nicholas is unique in being able to find new friends and include them wherever he may go...A GREAT MISSIONARY!...He had already invited a runner from Colorado, Dave to eat with us...We had a very enjoyable time learning about him and his racing career...After Dinner Nicholas and I took a walk on the beach lighted with Christmas...What a different yet unique memory at Christmas...The sound of the waves ebb and tide, the smell of the ocean, the feel of the sand walking in winter boots, the site of the Christmas lights on the beach and buildings and last of all the touch of someone special. Overwhelming to my senses...Knowing it was getting late we knew we needed to find our campsite or housing for the night....I spotted a hotel that was only $45, so instead of camping we took a room...It was the best investment I ever made...I was able to get to sleep fast and was WARM! The next morning I was able to stay warm inside the hotel, not a car until the race started....It started at the cutest bandstand you ever saw...Right in the middle of town...I arrived, and only had to stand about 15minutes before the race started...I should have used the porta potty...I knew I would be in trouble since I didn't do a good job eliminating my bowels that morning...THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER WAS SUNG beautifully by a soprano voice, then the gun went off...I was on the way (cold albeit), to my 36th state marathon....The course started out great, I found I could breath easy at sea level...I picked up my pace and started to cruise...I started to warm up and increased my pace passing many quaint beach homes on the way. One enjoyable part of the race was a dirt trail...It was right in the middle and was it a pleasing site for my feet...The scenery of the course was always changing and I never became bored with it...I loved running in the State Park close to the ocean it was beautiful...My hands had 2 hand warmers in each, but were still cold. Thank goodness we didn't have wind! The course was hilly but not hard, just enough to slow you down a little and rev you back up...At about mile 13 1/2 way through my stomach started to cramp... I knew I was in trouble...By mile 17, I had to use the porta potty...I was loosing time running slower because of the cramping...I should have stayed a little longer in the porta potty, because before mile 19, I had to go to the bushes without toilet paper for another bout of diarrhea....OWIE...Running the next 7 miles was painful, not to mention the chaffing I had to endure after the marathon for several days...OPEN SORES, for several days...This was the worst! My pace slowed traumatically but I still finished in 3:42...Just think if I would have been able to keep the same pace the last 10 miles...WOW, PR for sure!...The medal was a red and white life preserver that had the name of the race on it...Very cute! The shirt was a white short sleeved tech shirt...Last year's was better, I bought a large with long sleeves, but the food was outstanding....A potpourri of hot good food....I couldn't partake because of stomach problems, but I made a plate for Nicholas...
The massage line was slow but felt good...Afterwards I was able to go back to the hotel for a hot bath! I came in and was freezing after cooling down from the run so this was what I enjoyed most. A post race luxury that I never get to experience sleeping in the car! I loved this race and would like to run it again...We left shortly after I bathed and took in some scenic routes on the way back to PHILY, including trying to find a TCBY in the middle of a cul de sac...Needless to say the TOM TOM went back to Walmart! e stayed overnight in the airport parking and had an eventful early morning to say the least! RAIN, CONFUSION AND CONTENTION, not my idea of a tender parting or start of a sabbath...I barely made it to my flight but was thankful I was on my way back to UTAH...The missionary experiences I had were: Talking with the toxologist on the plane, the many friends I met in the restaurant and on the road, and my special friends Leah and Lauren....I hope they felt my spirit...When I met these girls I came to a profound knowledge that they are loved by a kind, wonderful Heavenly Father and his son, their elder brother Jesus Christ...I felt that love they have for these 2 beautiful girl and realized once again it doesn't matter the size, shape, gender, sin or color one is, we are all loved by our Heavenly Father and our elder brother Jesus Christ...WE ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD.... He made this known very clear to me with the love I felt for each girl... I love this gospel, I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father...On the last leg of each marathon, I chant over and over again special covenants I have made with my Heavenly Father in the Holy Temples I visit...This gives me strength to finish each marathon with power...POWER IN THE PRIESTHOOD! I love this church, it is the true church of JESUS CHRIST!

Midsouth (Wynne) Arkansas Marathon

Hartford Connecticut Marathon