Exciting Things Are Happening

On Monday, Holly and I met with the owner and the purchaser for a new running store in American Fork, Utah Run.

  We are excited to announce that Utah Run will be sponsoring Run Your Race Pacers...YAY!!!  Not only are they sponsoring us but they are RYR's main sponsor.  Both the owner and his purchaser are amazing, we are beyond excited to be working with them.

After our little meetin' we got to go "shopping" for some new gear.  If you are looking for super cute running clothes and everything running head on over to Utah Run, it is worth the drive, I promise.  The staff is super knowledgeable about all things running and will be happy to answer all of your running and triathlon questions.  They have lots of tri gear as well, it's a one stop shop.

I was surprised to see Oakley brand running clothes, had no idea they existed.  I picked out an Oakley ensemble, a Bondi Band headband, a FlipBelt (just FYI, Utah Run is the ONLY store in the great state of Utah that carries Flip Belt) and some Clif Shot Blocks for the Dino Half Marathon on Saturday.

You must have matching undershorts, 

some gals wear them as shorts but in my book they are indeed UNDERwear :)

I LOVE these colors together and a built in brazier is always a plus. 

I didn't realize it until this morning, but the Nike Pro shorts I picked are a little shorter than what I am used to.  I quite liked the shorter length, it felt like they didn't ride up as much as my longer ones. 

My FlipBelt matches my outfit fabulously so that's a plus.  I can't wait to try out the FlipBelt.  You can put your phone, shot blocks, keys, a ham sandwich or whatever you want in it and you are good to go.  I like the feel of the FlipBelt, it doesn't flap around and it stays in place.  I won't drop it out of my short pants, that may sound weird but oddly enough it has happened.  Even better, you can WIN one...that's right you can get one for FREEEEEE!  Utah Run has agreed to give one lucky reader their very own FlipBelt, details below.

These shorts are probably my favorite thing EVER!  They are so very soft, the fit is cute and there is a nice zipper pocket for some Clif Shot Blocks. 

Holly and I had to take a few gym pictures but didn't want to be where everyone could see us so we headed into the bathroom.  Wouldn't you know it, the first gym selfie I've ever taken and I got caught :D  But first let me take a Stephie!!

I don't know if I'm attempting a back walkover or if I'm trying to levitate myself but that is an awkward position. 

I was being silly and Holly quickly snapped this shot. 

You can't really see it but I love the silver O on my shorts...it's the little things that bring me joy.

I tried out my new outfit this morning for some KYT action and have decided that it is my new "power outfit."  It fit great and the fabric is like butta!  I'm sure people will tire of seeing me in it because I pretty much want to wear it ev.er.y.day!

Speaking of KYT, today seriously kicked my butt...it's not just a clever name.  And in other news I am starting my own KYT bootcamp.  I have almost done this 4 times over the past 5 years and have finally decided to go waaaaaaay out of my comfort zone and just DO IT!  SO SCARED!  I have found some pretty awesome quotes over the past few weeks that have given me the courage to go for my dream, no matter how scary it might be.

This is exactly why it has taken me so long to attempt such a thing. 

I have decided that failure isn't an option, I will do whatever it takes to make this boot camp a success.  I love fitness more than anything, it is my life and I want to share that with others.  It doesn't make any sense for me to be doing anything else...this is what I love.  I love helping others achieve their goals and hope that my love of fitness will wear off on them...eventually.  They may feel like this 99% of the time but that's okay :)

This last one is my very favorite.  I have had so many people tell me that I should start my own thing but I let my own doubts and fears prevent me from doing it.  I need to just have faith and believe in myself. 

Enough about that, I'm freaking myself out! 

I am over the moon excited about pacing the Dino Half Marathon on Saturday.  It is such an amazing race with beautiful views.  I want to run with a camera just to show everyone the beauty that this canyon holds.  You don't think people will mind if their pacer stops every 5 minutes to snap some sweet shots do you?!? 

Okay, here is how to enter the Utah Run FlipBelt giveaway...

Like Utah Run on Facebook HERE and tell me in the comments that you did.

Leave me a comment telling me what you would carry in your FlipBelt.

You have until Tuesday, May 6th to enter.

Thankful 13 Half Marathon 2013

Thanksgiving morning I had the opportunity to pace the Thankful 13 Half Marathon.  This was one of my favorite races of the year, next to the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon.  Unlike most Utah races this course doesn’t send you flying down a canyon, you have to earn your time on this one.  Another good thing about this race is that you don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to catch a bus, nope you start and finish at the same point.   Holly and I paced the 1:50 group.

 

The race started right on time and we were off.  I was a bit nervous that I wasn’t going to be warm enough.  I tried out my new Nike jacket and wasn’t sure how warm it was going to be.

Here's Kenna modeling it for you.  It is quite possibly the softest thing EVA...it's smooth like butta!  It has thumb holes and is thin but it is VERY warm, perfect!  I picked it up at 26.2 Running Co. when we were there for packet pick-up.  I can't tell you how much I love this jacket, so I'm not going to try!!!

  By mile 2 I was warm, so Holly and I took turns holding each other’s junk so we could take off a layer.  This was no easy task but we somehow managed.  I had to lose my fancy turkey hat at this point as well.  It was driving me cray cray and my head was super hot…nobody likes a hot head!  Besides, I was having a panic attack because my airway was being cut off.  I tied the little suckers legs around my waist, it looked like he was pecking my bum :D  Cute bum where ya' from?

 

The course was absolutely beautiful, they had to change the course a little due to some construction and it was even better than before.  I hope the course will stay the same for next year, although according to my Garmin it was a bit short. 

 

There were signs all along the course showing what people were thankful for, I liked this a lot.  I REALLY liked one sign that said “I’m thankful for my ex-husband, thankful he’s an ex!”  HAHAHA, that caused me to have a fine chuckle.  I also saw a sign that my friend Jessica did, her dad beat colon cancer this year YAY!!!  It’s always nice to have something to read to distract yourself.  It’s also nice to be running behind a guy in a full on turkey costume, when he approached one photographer he did a funny little turkey move.  I missed it but Holly sure laughed about it, I can envision it and it was breath taking :D

 

Holly and I attempted to do a jump for one of the photographers, I can’t wait to see how this one turned out, as I flung my arms in the air to give myself a little boost I cracked Holly in the stick :D  I hit the pacing stick and nearly knocked the poor dear over, it was a travesty but might make for some good photography.  I will just add that our tutu’s looked super awesome in our shadows.

They looked awesomer (it's a word) when we were running.

The race was so well organized, everything was perfect!  Holly and I finished the race and wanted to even things out so we did 14 miles, it was FUN!!  We finished just in time for the push-up contest.

  I will NEVER win a race but I can win a push-up contest.  I WON and got a HUGE turkey!!!

Isn't it beautiful Clark?!?  I told you it was HUGE.

  I did 90 push-ups and my whole body was shaking, I’ve never had that happen before, maybe I was nervous ;)  I just need to enter more push-up contests and less running contests I guess ;)

Pacer group shot!  Becky, Weirdo #Uno, Julia, Rachelle and Weirdo #Dos.  Aren't our turkey hats dashing? 

Then I said something that made Holly angry and she came at me with an axe...WTHeck! 

Don't worry, I apologized and we're friends again.

Sadly, race season is over for a while here in Utah.  Luckily, Rachelle invited me to her 2nd Annual Christmas Fun Run, YIPEE!!!  I already know what I'm going to wear too and these little beauties are definitely going to be part of my ensemble, I love them!!!  I could quite possibly wear them every day this month!

These are going to sell out QUICK so if you want some follow this handy little link HERE and order yourself some.  If you use the promo code SNOW you will not only get 40% off but you will also get FREE shipping.  Don't say I never gave you anything (technically I'm not giving you anything but let's just pretend that I am) and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

 

Nike Women's Marathon 2012

I'm going to start by saying that I had read up on this race and most of what I had read was negative.  I don't get people is all I can say, there was not one negative thing about this entire experience!  We decided to go to the expo on Thursday to try and avoid the long lines that I had read about.  We got there, snapped a quick picture and quickly got our bibs etc.  We didn't have to wait in line at all!!  I thought the expo was great, it was small compared to Boston. Then again the race was put on by Nike so of course they wouldn’t have a bunch of other companies there trying to promote their stuff…makes perfect sense to me!!

They had a HUGE hamster wheel so what's not to like...you tell me?!?

We got some free stuff and were off to explore the beautiful city!  We went to NikeTown and found our names on "the wall!"  Yay, I made the wall...I didn't make the Boston poster and I still haven't gotten over it!

Kenna's "Blue Steel" in NikeTown!

Sunday morning we left plenty early and got to the starting line at about 5 a.m.  We weren’t sure what traffic would be like and didn’t want to take any chances.  At about 6:30 or so we took our drop bags to the buses, which I thought was VERY organized, they put a sticker on my bib saying exactly where my bag would be at the finish line.

WOW, I'm super greasy...it's cool to be greasy trust me!!

26,000 people all lined up was quite the sight!  The first mile we were barely moving, I believe we had a 9:00 minute mile :/, then I saw a couple of people running on the side walk.  I decided they were brilliant and did the same thing.  We ran through the city for a mile or so and then we were down by the Piers.  We ran past Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square.  This is where it started getting really exciting.  Hill after hill, after hill, after hill and then guess what?  More hills!!!  I would say my hill training definitely paid off.  While everyone else was walking or huffing and puffing up the hills Holly and I ran up with no problem at all.

I wish I would have ran with my camera because I can’t even come close to describing the beauty that surrounded us.  It was a very misty, foggy morning!  PERFECT running weather!!!!  The runner’s, and the hills, disappeared into the fog and it looked AWESOME!  It was actually pretty nice not to see how huge the hill was that we were about to climb.  Some of the hills seemed to never end.  The race directors were so smart because there always seemed to be an amazing cheer section on all of the hills.  They were a great distraction and really got us going. 

We ran near China Beach which is where we went exploring a few days earlier.  The houses in this area are AMAZINGLY huge and wonderful.  It was uphill, of course, but I didn’t care because I loved looking at the houses.

Yep, we ran right up that hill!

This picture brings me much joy so I wanted to share!

I felt great the first 10 or so miles and then I started to feel a little crampy.  If you are a man you can skip this paragraph.  Of all the relatives that I wanted to come on this trip with us the only one who showed up was my “Aunt Flo!”  I hate that woman!!!!  I really needed to go to the bathroom and thought that if I did maybe I would feel better.  I stopped really fast and then we were off.  I was feeling much better. 

At about mile 11 the half marathoners split off, that seemed to be a HUGE chunk of the runners which was really nice.  At most races after about mile 3 or so it starts to spread out and you find the people who are your pace.  Until mile 11 it was very crowded.  This is also where my legs started to feel a little weird.  The uphill/downhill running was starting to wear on me.

Mile 13 was for Kobe!!!  We were in Golden Gate Park, I felt like I was in another land!  It was BEAUTIFUL!  Actually the ENTIRE race was gorgeous!  If I ever started to feel tired or weak I just had to look up and take in my surroundings.  I seriously enjoyed every second of this race!

I'm not sure, do you think I was excited to see my cute family?!?  What a DORK!!

At around mile 14 or 15 we saw our families…YAY!!!  That was just the boost I needed to keep going!  Holly was having some tummy troubles so we decided to stop for another bathroom break.  By this point we knew we weren’t going to be setting any records so we figured we may as well be comfortable and enjoy it.

See that windmill in the back...AWESOME!  I had to get a picture of it...now I just need to crop my ugly mug out of it :)

At about mile 17 we ran past a cheer section with cheerleaders from one of the colleges.  They were cheering a bit and then I yelled something and they really got going.  It was so fun to have them there. 

Holly had her phone and snapped a picture of said cheerleaders :)

The next few miles looped around a lake/golf course.  It was a looooong loop but I knew at the end of it we were on the home stretch.  This is also where McKenna’s mile 19 was.  I’m so glad she picked one of these later miles where I really needed to get my mind off of what I was doing. 

At mile 22.50 I started wondering if my little leggies were going to hold up.  The entire last half of the race my heart rate was low, I had great energy but my legs DID NOT want to listen to me.  I kept telling myself that I could go faster, I wasn’t feeling weak or tired at all.  It was just that my legs felt non-existent!!  I tried pumping my arms faster hoping that my legs would follow but nothing seemed to work.  I finally decided to just suck it up and be happy that I was still running…along the ocean. 

We knew we were getting close and I just prayed that my legs wouldn’t give out on me!  I felt exactly like this…

Yes, that would sum up EXACTLY how my legs felt!  I think those ladies are awesome but I can't help but laugh my head off everytime I see this.

Mile 25 was for Jake so I just kept chugging along…no walking, or crawling, was allowed!!

We saw the finish line and our cute little families!  We crossed the line in 3:45:08 (my Garmin said 3:40 without the bathroom breaks), not my fasted marathon by a long shot but then again I wasn’t running downhill like in all Utah races.  The WINNER finished in 2:59 which made me feel better about my time.  We got our Tiffany necklace from a Firefighter in a Tuxedo…well hello there handsome ;)

He told me I earned this...

Hmmm, not only handsome but smart ;)

(This is a disclaimer for Jake...I don't really think he was all that so don't go get all jealous on me ;)

The finish area was beyond awesome!  We grabbed a bagel and banana, got our drop bag and tried to find our families.  Holly and I were stretching a little when I stumbled down a few stairs, I don’t know how I saved myself from certain death ;) I could barely walk straight.  I’m sure it was quite a sight!!!

We found our families and saw that Kara Goucher and Shalane Flanagan were getting their awards.  YES, I ran with Olympians!!! 

We found the chocolate milk by the “stretching” tent!  I'm glad they got the memo that I MUST.HAVE.CHOCOLATE MILK!!!  So awesome, they had a lady leading stretching/yoga.  They had tons of foam rollers too, we wanted to join in but there wasn’t much room and we had families waiting to get on with the day.   We ended up walking about 5-6 miles in the afternoon which I’m sure helped work out some of that lactic acid.  I am sore but I thought it was going to be much worse.      

I LOVED everything about this race, I LOVE San Francisco and I LOVE my family for coming with me to explore a new city!  I’m so grateful that I was able to train for and run this race with Holly!  This was by far my favorite race that I’ve done and I would do it every year if I could!