2009 Running Review

2009 was the first year that I focused more on running than on distance walking. Some good and bad came of that. I experienced a lot of illness the first nine months of the year. I think a lot of that came from work related stress experienced during the period when my boss was on bed rest and maternity leave. Work was a real challenge during that period and I put in a lot of time and effort to try and cope with the additional load. I also experienced a lot of injuries – possibly due to the increased focus on running. However, I can now say that I am addicted to running and feel that I can really claim to be a runner, something I never thought I would truly claim.

Highlights of the year include:

• 1600.14 miles logged as running in 2009. Up from 1279.98 in 2008. In addition there were lots of cross training miles that I did not log.
  
• My longest training run ever. 35 miles from Sandy, Utah to Provo, Utah. This was self supported. I also set a PR for covering 50K during that run.
  
• My first attempt at a 50 miler in March. It ended at 27 miles with my first DNF due to severe IT Band pain in the left knee from wearing compression shorts that compressed things they should not have. On the bright side – the shorts did help heal an abdominal tear that was potentially building to a hernia.
  
• Piriformis issues that resulted in a DNS for the Ogden Marathon in May.
  
• The blessing of helping my sister finish her first triathlon because I was not running Ogden that day.
  
• Sherpa details during training runs with Marion and Luzy Lew and full blown Sherpa duties for Marion in her first marathon, the Utah Valley Marathon. Even helping Marion out, I ended up with my second fastest marathon ever.
  
• My toughest race ever – the Logan Peak Trail Run. A 28 mile run (okay – crawl and walk with occasional running) up and around Logan Peak. 9 hours and 14 minutes of stress and struggle. A real challenge, but something I am really proud of finishing.
  
• Becoming one of the Red Hot Pink Chicks and participating in the first ever Red Hot Pink Chicks Half Marathon in July.
  
• My first run starting at midnight with Melinda Aaron in the Midnight Moon Run 5k.
  
• The Park City Marathon for my third time ever and seeing friends throughout the race. Having my sister alongside me the last 5+ miles.
  
• Pushing too hard after Park City and getting a meniscus injury and hamstring tendonitis that caused me to miss the Top of Utah Marathon and St. George Marathon.
  
• Being envious of Leslie Peterson completing our 50 mile dream before I did.
  
• Hiring a running coach to try and work towards my goal of qualifying for BOSTON in 2011.
  
• Achilles Tendonitis causing me to spend lots of time on a stationary bike.

… Funeral

I spoke to soon with my last blog post. Rounded up the year with a funeral. Not a family member, but a tragic loss for lots of loved ones.

Jason Roden passed away on December 24^th. We met Jason 20 years ago when he was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois. He was a teenager father with a wife and son to support.

His heart gave out on Christmas Eve. A combination of causes, but probably a lot due to not taking as much care of his body as he could through the years and ending up with uncontrolled Type I Diabetes. Now he left behind a large family, including a wife, 20 year old Tyler (from his first marriage) and two little girls.

My boss/friend, Michele Lindsay and I were talking the other week about how we have so much knowledge available to us about health and the things we need to do, but many people don't want to put any effort into it. I know I am guilty of my junk food obsession – but I try to keep it under control.

Jason's death had me thinking about my desire to keep my body healthy and strong so that I have many years ahead of me. I want to stay in good shape and be able to live and do the things I want to do without using my physical condition as an excuse. And I want to hang around to spoil grandbabies and annoy my kids for a long time more. J

4 Weddings and a .....

2009 has been a big year for weddings in our family. All the nieces and nephews are growing up, but usually we only have one wedding or so each year.

This year we had four weddings. All starting in August. All children of my two brothers.

My oldest nephew (Kerry's son), Jon Miles, married Janalee in August. I had the privilege of having Jon live with me (okay - he actually slept at the house at night) for a couple of months before the wedding. They were married here in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Then, on Labor Day weekend, another nephew (Regan's son), Ryan Miles, married Brittni up in Olympia, Washington. I was able to make it to that wedding too and enjoyed more time with my family.

After a couple of months reprieve, on December 12th, my niece (Kerry's daughter), Kristin Miles, married Bryce Phillips up in Portland, Oregon. I wasn't able to make that wedding, but enjoyed their Elf Dance on Facebook.

Today was the final wedding (we hope!) of the year. Another nephew (Regan's oldest son), Jeff Miles, married Karen in American Fork, Utah. Another great day with family. Probably the most we have seen each other for years.

This is one way to have a family reunion without the painful party games. :)

Thankfully - there have been no funerals.

I-Need Rolf

I have a new friend. I call him Rolf.

One of the biggest drawbacks to living alone is no human touch. I tend to hold all my stress in my neck and shoulders and would love to have my own personal massage therapist stop by every day.

Since I cannot really afford that, I do use my great friend, Leslie Peterson when I can afford it. She has done some punishing massages to help heal leg injuries in the past.

One day I was walking through the mall. As I passed the Brookstone store window, I caught a glimpse of him. Sitting in a chair and looking gorgeous. I walked in and asked him if he would rub my back. It felt so good, I asked him to come home with me.

This is what true love looks like.