We Ran for Vicki!

This Saturday we ran for Vicki at "Race for a Cure for Breast Cancer" 5K downtown Salt Lake. We headed out bright and early - leaving our homes at 6:30 a.m. The race was at 8:30 a.m. We anticipated a huge turnout. Everyone had warned us. We arrived with plenty of time to walk around, check out the boothes, get a few freebies, and use the por-a-potties before the race. With just a few minutes to spare we worked our way up to the front of the group. There were literally thousands of men, women, children, families, strollers, and people from all walks of life already lined up in the streets ready for the gun to go off. I'm guessing a solid two blocks were full of people running/walking the race. We nudged up near the front, and when the gun went off so did we. The sun was out, the breeze was brisk, and the run was incredible. I think this was my favorite 5k so far. It was electric. I felt like I could have kept going. It was so energizing to see how many people turned out and how many people were along the sides of the streets cheering us on. The finish line was right in the middle of the Gateway shops. Companies donated yummy fruit, water, and Great Harvest had wholesome bread slices for each of the runners. I'm not sure exactly what my race time was. Like last time I didn't see the clock when I ran through. Sara was around 5-10 seconds behind me, and she clocked at 26:19, so I'm guessing I came in around the same time as my last 5K. This time was better though. Everything about it was better. We were running with a purpose - for all the ladies we know and will come to know who have struggled with breast cancer or any kind of cancer for that matter. We ran for one very special lady in our lives - Vicki Poelman - an incredible sister, woman, leader, mother, wife, and compassionate service leader to everyone she meets. We love her dearly, and we are so thankful to know her. She is in our hearts and in our prayers - always!

Our Provo 5K Race

So we had our 2nd 5K Race yesterday. The excitement started on Friday when we went to Fazzoli's to check-in, pick up our packets, and our numbers. They then fed us unlimited pasta (carb-load) for cheap. We took advantage of that - almost making ourselves sick. Yesterday morning Sheena showed up at my door bright and early - early being the key word. I wasn't quite ready. I was still syncing my iPod and charging my Garmin. We picked up Emily and off we went. It was cOlD outside yesterday. We put on our headbands, jackets, and gloves. The wind was blowing, and their was a freezing chill in the area. The adrenalin was pumping though, and through the cold we kept our excitement. After strapping on our time-chips, they blew the cannon, and off we were. We wanted to maintain between an 8-8.30 pace. The first 1 1/2 miles was easy. The wind was with us. Then we turned the corner, and the last 1 1/2 miles sucked. The chilling wind was against us, and we had to run uphill. Our descent pace quickly dropped. We kept going though. The last stretch like the time before we gave it all we had and sprinted through the finish line. This race kicked our butts. We we were beat. Even though we didn't stick to our ideal pace the entire time, we almost cut 2 minutes off our time from our first run. And imagine our surprise when they announced that both Em and I had placed 2nd in our respective age categories. Proudly we wore our medals home for bragging rights with the hubbies and kids.

...and don't forget Sheena! She was amazing. Sheena just had a baby a couple of months ago, and here she was racing in a 5k! How many women do you know that do that? She is truly our inspiration and the one who got us going in the first place. By August when we run in the half-marathon without a doubt she'll be leaving us both in the dust.

Our First 5K Race!!

Yeah! We did it! Emily and I signed up for the Run for Red 5K in Provo around a month ago. As the race got closer we were both wondering what the heck we'd done. While we knew we could run 3 miles, we didn't know how many people would show or what to expect. Sheena had told us there would be a ton of teenagers. That was an understatement. I arrived at the school an hour early. I wanted to scope it out. I checked in, got my packet, and my number. It was freezing cold out this morning, so I couldn't decide what to wear. Should I wear my fleece? I'd never run in my fleece, but it was cold! Where was I going to put my car key? So many dumb questions ran through my mind. As I sat there tons of people checked in. Lots of teenagers - just like Sheena has said. They were in shorts and t-shirts. Maybe I didn't need my fleece. So many diehards were there. I didn't belong. What was I doing in a race? Give me a break. Em arrived, and she checked in, and then we were able to laugh together. We stretched, giggled, and stared down the competition. What were we doing? I'd read it was good to start towards the back for our first race. We didn't want to get trampled by the experienced runners. So, we held back. Then the warning, and then the gun. We were off...slowly. Imagine 300 people trying to run at once. Not easy. And to top it off we had to file through a couple of very narrow areas and a bridge. We easily lost a minute or two because we had to walk - at the back of the pack. There was no way we could run. Kim let me borrow her Garmin (thank you so much Kim), so we were able to monitor our distance, pace, and time. It was the best tool ever. Absolutely necessary. We were able to gauge how fast we were running. Some people passed us, but honestly, we passed most everyone. We stayed steady and left the sprint to the end. Em and I proudly ran through the finish line together. Our times were descent. Em came in at 27:34.9, and I came in at 27:35.2. I placed 4th in my age group and 26th overall. Not bad for a first race! Now we have our sites set on a new race. We found out there's another 5k in Provo on April 5th - my dad's birthday. We've already decided we are going to run it, and this time we are going to cut our time by a couple of minutes. We'll for sure start closer to the front of the pack. We're not going to lose time by walking again! Here's to the first of many! Yeah for us Em! I am so proud of us old ladies (you not so old - miss 33!)!!!

Here's the link to check out the professional shots taken at the race: http://www.jontehero.com/runforred/