Beat Beethoven 5k

Jonny (19:43), Melody (20:58), Dad, Mom, Amber, Jake, Cami, Drew, Mitton Family

Once again, we all beat Beethoven. (Did I ever mention that a guy actually represents Beethoven in this race, running the 32 minute pace and wearing a crazy wig and coat tails? Pretty fun.) *So what can I say? I'm pretty fast. In fact, I'm pretty and I'm fast. This seems to be a good race for us each year. While much of it is slightly downhill, it does have quite a bit of slight uphill - especially at the end.

We left the kids with our friends the Bairds who live in PG right next to the new rec. We missed them, but were both able to run a pretty quick race without them! Jonny placed first in Men 20-29 and third overall. (He says there were some unregistered CC boys in front of him though.) I was closely followed by a CC girl the entire race, but was able to keep ahead by starting my finish line sprint sooner than I usually do and placed first woman overall - for the fifth time this summer! It was pretty exciting when the man at the 1 mile mark told me I was the first female. And it was even more exciting when I saw the clock and knew I could make it in under 21 minutes. That may be faster than my HS times! I will have to dig through my journals and see what my CC race pace was. So yes, it was fun to run a fast one, feel good, and set a new downhill course PR. Dad, Mom, and Drew also placed in their divisions. See official results here.

One reason this race is always one of my favorites is that the Mittons run it too. This year Abby ran and Todd pushed McKay while Allyson and Alex cheered us all on. I sincerely love this family and treasure any time I get to spend with them. The triplets are all looking like teenagers, I hardly even recognized McKay! We chatted for quite a while before and after and decided that next year we'll plan to do breakfast together. Can't wait!

*Jonny sneaked this part in when I left the room. I decided to leave it in. We are the only ones who read this, after all!

Eagle Mountain North Stake 5k and 1k

Jonny (19:36), Melody (21:29), Juila, Gabe

This race was part of our Stake Family Fun Day. We left the kids with a neighbor while we ran, then picked them up in time for the 1k. Julia ran/walked that with Jonny while Gabe and I ran/walked a shorter version!

The local HS cross country team joined us for this race, so a couple of those kids beat Jonny, as well as two super fast guys. I was first in women, followed closely by two CC girls. My time is comparable to my HS running times, so that makes sense that I might compete with those teenagers! Anyway, I ran pretty hard to keep my first place position. At one point I was about to pass a teenage boy. He said, "There's no way..." and sped up to keep ahead of me. I laughed out loud.

The race was scored like a CC meet, and our ward dominated! One of our top 5 runners was 9-year-old Mason. He came in only a minute after me. Amazing. It was fun to run with people from our neighborhood and run fast on the roads where I usually don't go my race pace. 

Julia and I had fun at the fair festivities later that day while Gabe napped and Daddy worked on the basement.

Alpine Days 5k

Jonny (20:14), Melody with Julia and Gabe (23:18), Dad, Mom, Cami, Jake, Drew, Julie (It should be noted that this course is actually 3.15 miles.)

This is actually the first race this summer in which I pushed the kids. I haven't been running with them much at all. With them being so big and Gabe not loving to be stuck in the stroller, I've been opting to run early and alone before Jonny leaves for work. (Plus, I did my half marathon training without them, of course. I think that's when I started waking up early to run and it stuck.) But I decided to run this one together for a kind of final hurrah. It was, after all, the first race I pushed Julia in four years ago. So it seemed fitting that it should be the last. Naturally I had a goal to beat my current loop course PR with the kids, 24:55. (Alpine Days last year.) All week I was wondering if I could do that. I decided I'd push it my hardest but not be disappointed if I came in after 25. But I was pretty hopeful of setting a new and final record with my buddies.

Okay, enough background, here is what happened. I did push myself beyond what I thought I could do and we did set a new record. I was very pleased when I read the clock as we came around the corner. It was certainly not an easy race, with the heavy kids and hills. I had to continually remind myself to run faster, as I don't run with a watch so have no concept of my pace. But Julia really cheered me on. And Gabe was a good sport. We did it! And pretty fast too, coming in first in women 25-29 and fourth in women overall. 

Jonny ran a great one as usual, placing second in men 25-29. Dad, Mom, Cami, and Drew placed as well. We love these small town races!

Now on to the Toddler Trot. It was Gabe's first race. He and Jonny walked/ran it together quite behind Julia and me. It was so funny to see Gabe start running as we cheered him on at the end, then straight to me instead of the finish line! As for Julia, she's been looking forward to "the lollipop race" ever since last year. She was super excited to run it, but only a few second into told me she was tired and ready to stop. I cheered her on and she picked up her spirits and her feet. She really sprinted it in at the end when her family members were cheering for her. Hey, she cut off a minute and a half from her time last year! And yes, she was awarded a ribbon and a lollipop. Phew.

 Gabe didn't like the big number on his shirt. Check out his frustrated faces as he tries to take it off.

 Stretching:

 Champions!

I will probably still push the kids once in a while for my workouts, but they are really just growing too big for our team running. I have loved it though. I will miss running with my babies. Surely I will run with babies who join us in the future. But it is strange and a little sad to realize my Julia is in fact a "big girl," as she reminds me every day. And Gabe, well, he's been big since birth. He won't be too sad to see our strolling days come to an end. But I will miss his silliness. And how he always points out the "astru-tion!" (construction) I love you, my little friends! 

Pioneer Day Classic 5k

Jonny (19:51 ), Melody (21:16), Grandma, Dad, Mom, Amber (unfortunately not pictured), Cami, Drew, Julie

This was our second year running this one. We were disappointed we forgot to wear pioneer bonnets as planned! Some people run all decked out in pioneer garb. Kind of fun. Anyway, we arranged for Katy to come and tend the kids while we ran, as we recalled a lot of the course being uphill. And yes, we were both glad not to be pushing a heavy stroller and two heavy kids. But they were still there to join in the fun - including a bounce house, an impromptu kids race, and a hot air balloon ride! It was quite the morning. 

As if all of that wasn't exciting enough, with 6:51 min/miles I actually placed 1st woman overall! (If there wasn't a 10k as well then surely a few others would have beat me. Glad I did the 5k! There were 267 runners, not sure how many were women. I was 13th overall. See full results here.) At mile 2 I passed a woman but still had no idea I was leading. I felt great and pushed myself up the hill to pass two guys. It was so fun to run through the finish line where Matt and Jack were taking pictures. (They were the hired professionals.)

Jonny ran a super fast one too, even though this is not an easy course. He came in 2nd in his division and 7th overall. Taj Mecham beat him by 9 seconds! It was fun to visit with Taj and catch up on their little family. Hopefully next time Meg will be running this one too - when she doesn't have a two week old baby! As you can see from the top picture, Dad, Mom, Grandma, and Cami placed in their divisions as well. Not a bad day for the fam, huh?

The kids run was just right for Julia. It was super short and she didn't miss the hot air balloon lift because of it. (She was very nervous about that. We left the boys in line while she and I hurried over to make it to the kids race. She ran fast! A "fire balloon" ride was on the line, after all.)

And as it turns out, it pays to run fast. Not only did I set a new loop course PR that is faster than my current downhill PR, but I received a $50 check and a nice watch. Sweet! It's not every day I place overall. So that was pretty fun.(I'm not sure how I ran this one faster than the downhill Pony Express Days?! But I'm down with it. I just don't know that I will beat this RP anytime soon, if ever. Only time will tell...)

 Gabe cried in the balloon. He didn't like the heat and loud sounds. Julia loved it.

 The Race Photographers

Check out their awesome photos here.

Mantua Dam Race 5 Miler

Melody (36:27), Grandma, Dad, Mom, Amber, Cami

Mom and Dad ran this race in Mantua (a small town near Logan) last year and came back telling us what a nice course it was. So we three UT sisters decided to make a weekend of it and head to Logan with Mom and Dad. (A road trip without toddlers is actually quite relaxing!) We ate Red Vines and laughed all the way up. Then we picked up Grandma and ate out at Angie's. After chatting, watching YouTube movies, and laughing some more, we finally went to bed and were up early for the race.

It really was a nice course. It seemed shorter than five miles, maybe because it just looped around the reservoir. It was nice to look out on the water and run on the gravel path. (This could have slowed times down a little, as it is tougher to run on loose rock than pavement. But it wasn't difficult.) I listened to Anthem and finished the book just before the last mile where I finally passed a fast teenage girl that I was trying to catch the entire race. The race ended on an uphill, but that was okay because the finish line was in sight. I felt really good after running quick 7:25 minute miles and was excited to cheer in my family members. There were some super fast runners in my age group, coming in two minutes before me. I placed 3rd in Women 25-29 and 38th overall out of about 300 runners.Yes, I missed Jonny and the kids terribly. Next year perhaps we'll stay at the campground down the street from the park where the race starts. It was a fun one and I look forward to running it again. (Plus, fun shirts.)

Mack Family Fund 5k

Melody (23:09)

This race, as well as activities at the park throughout the day, is a part of a fundraiser for the Mack Family. I don't personally know the Saratoga Springs family, but I was referred by a friend to a blog that the husband Denny has been keeping up since his wife Wendy and fourth child Maylee died in childbirth. (The mother died because of heart complications unrelated to childbirth.) Jonny and I read the accounts of the day Wendy went into pre-term labor and passed away, how Denny dealt with telling his three young children, and his feelings of loss and faith through the grieving process. We were both in tears as the sweet, honest, heart-wrenching posts helped to put things in perspective for us. Wendy had no life insurance so this fundraiser is to raise money for the funeral and other family expenses.

I kind of forgot about this race until last night. I decided I'd run it last minute. Jonny wasn't up to it this morning but he and the kids came to cheer me on. It was a smaller race, and full of families and surely lots of friends of the Mack family. (About 350 runners/walkers.) The course through Harvest Hills was not an easy one. (They don't call it Harvest Hills for nothing.) It began with on a pretty steep incline, and I was glad I opted not to push the kids. When I realized that I was one of the first 6 or 7 runners, and the first woman, I kept up a decent pace to keep my place. Yeah, it was a small race - not to many hard-core runners. But it was still fun to place first in women! Especially when Jonny, Julia, and Gabe cheered me in on the final hill to the finish line. I received a $25 Fleet Feet gift card and the kids came away with fireman hats big foam #1 hands. Having my family there meant a lot to me, as I thought about the Mack family who are so badly missing Wendy and Maylee. I'm thankful that they know the truth of the Plan of Salvation and can find peace and comfort in Christ. How else could you get through something like this?

American Fork Canyon Half Marathon and 5k

Jonny with Julia and Gabe (5k at 22:46), Melody (half at 1:36:56), Jake, Cami, Drew

How did my second half go? Even better than my first last august. I trained up to 10.6 miles this time (as opposed to 9 miles last August) and I could tell. I felt really pretty good the whole race. Yeah, I was feeling a few blisters by one or two toes coming on, but nothing that kept me from running comfortably. Around mile 11 I began to feel heavy. But I was familiar with the course (at that point we were running through the American Fork neighborhood where Jonny and I used to live) and I knew I was close to the finish. And what a finish! It was so fun to be cheered in by Jonny, Julia, Gabe, Cami, Jake, and Drew. With signs and all. Awesome.

I was pretty excited for this race. My training had gone well and I felt prepared. (I had been waking up early once a week to do a long run before Jonny left for work.) Getting to AF high school to board the bus at 4:30 am was surprisingly easy. I was ready to run and not tired. I didn't mind waiting the hour or so up there in the canyon before the 6:00 start time. (I wore warm fleece pants and a sweater over my running clothes. I am so glad I did. I shed everything and put it in my bag just before the race, even though it was still pretty chilly. Only a few minutes into the run, I was very glad I hadn't kept my long sleeve shirt on.) Since I was running without any buddies (Mom and Grandma wanted to run it, but both were out of town), I had some time up there to sit and watch the night leave and the day light up the mountains. It was quite something.

I wasn't too lonely though. I sat by a girl about my age on the bus. We got to talking and just chatted about where we lived, our families, etc. When she mentioned MD, I told her I love visiting Cheverly every year to see my twin sister. She got interested and asked more. "Culinary school? Twin sister? Cheverly? Triplets!? Are you talking about Emily Robinson!?" Ha! It was Laura, one of Emily's and KC's friends from the singles ward. We laughed about that coincidence and suddenly had a lot more to talk about. (Like how she had a major crush on KC.) That was pretty fun.

Another fun conversation helped to pass the time while waiting in the port-a-potty line. Behind me was Mr. Tischner, a teacher from LPHS, and his cute wife.  We chatted and laughed until it was time to line up. And at the finish line, I met up with Matt Paskett and some of his family, Dave and Megan Wilson, and Taj and Meg Mecham. (And during my temple recommend interview with President Kidd yesterday we talked about the race, as he ran it too.)

So it wasn't so lonely after all. I did wish Jonny was up there with me at the beginning, but he opted for the 5k as he has been spending all his spare time working on the basement and didn't really feel like training. The kids were happy to be running with him. Apparently the big hill up to the temple was killer, especially pushing two big kids in a stroller. Julia reported to me, "Mom, Daddy was slowing down. I said, 'Daddy, why are you slowing down?' He told me the hill was hard. So I cheered for him." Her story was true. Jonny said she cheered, "Go, Daddy!" for about a mile and a half.

During training and the race I listened to Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge.  (I was so excited that Deborah Lynn was the reader for the entire book. Her name was familiar to me because she was my favorite reader during David Copperfield. I should find a way to tell this volunteer reader how much I enjoy her reading during my runs!) I was really into the book, so when a strange noise came through after one of the chapters I got nervous. But then I heard Jonny's voice. He had recorded three sound bites to surprise me with during the race! Hearing his voice made me smile and even laugh out loud, not to mention quicken my pace a little. His messages came around miles 6, 9, and 11. Perfect timing, really. He was funny, silly, encouraging, cheerful, and darling as usual. Leave it to my amazing boy to come up with something like that. I love that Jonny Rejholec.

So, that was the race. As you can see, I ran at a pretty quick pace - 7:24 miles. I even surprised myself a little! But I was feeling good and kept the 1:30 pacer in view nearly the entire race. So I knew I would beat my goal for 1:45-1:50. I am in pretty good shape and this race was so very much downhill that I don't know if this is a PR I will likely beat. (See the official results here.) I came in 4th in my age group and 90th overall, out of 900 runners. Jonny, Drew, and Cami all placed first in their divisions! This was Jake's first race and he reportedly ran a great one. I think he will be joining us at more races in the future. Good times.

Anyway, I enjoyed the entire race experience and have no complaints whatsoever. It was wonderfully organized, the cause was worthy (all the proceeds went to cancer research and treatment), the shirts were awesome, the food was great,  and the course was beautiful and nostalgic. (It ran down the canyon from Tibble Fork, through the Cedar Hills golf course, into Adventure Learning Park, down Highland Hwy, and to the AF high school. All familiar running territory to me from the past. It was so fun to be back.)  I can't wait to do this one again many times in years to come. Jonny says he will surely join me next time. And that will make it perfect.

Megan Lamereaux Wilson,

great friend kindergarten through high school, nurse at Julia's birth.

 This is a little inside joke/movie quote between Chino and me.

 And here I am sporting the sweet Nike tech shirt.

Pony Express Days 5k

Jonny with Julia and Gabe (19:46), Melody (21:26)

Looks like we set some new PRs at this race! Jonny and the kids have a new one at 6:21 minute miles and I have one at 6:54. But we have to note that the course is downhill nearly the entire run. Jonny says we can count these as our "downhill PRs" but we need to have separate ones for more flat courses. Alright, I guess. Still, fun to set some new records! (And please note in amazement that Jonny ran this race 4 minutes faster than the Linda Buttars one two weeks ago. Sure, this one is downhill, but 4 minutes!? And sick all week!? Wow. Way to go, my running man.)

I was actually surprised Jonny ran so fast, as he hasn't been running much and has had a bad cold all week. But you gotta keep up with that stroller on the downhill - you practically have to chase it! Even though it was a small crowd, I was impressed with his 4th place in men overall and 3rd in men 13-29. (Yes, a ridiculous age span. What about all those 13 and 14 year old boys who would've placed first in a more narrow category! Silly. Especially since they give no ribbons or medals, what could it hurt to split up the ages more reasonably? Anyway...) I placed 4th overall in women and 2nd in women 13-29. I felt great while running and after. It was exhilarating to use the downhill to my advantage. Now, if I only didn't have such short legs I may have been able to catch Jonny and the kids!

After the race a woman, Jenny Richards, stopped me and we chatted. She said we've run many races together and so we may as well know one another! She is in her 40s and came in just before Jonny. Phew! I hope I can keep my pace up over the years. (Not that 40 is old, I just wonder if I will slow down as I age. I don't plan to!)

As fun and fast a course as this one is, we were pretty disappointed with the lack of organization and high price. $20 for a city 5k with the cheapest of white t-shirts (that just say the name of the race in a cheesy font) is just too expensive. Hopefully next year they will have a family rate and/or t-shirt opt out like I requested in an email. Also, they bus you up to the starting line. Why a charter is the transportation method of choice for the three mile ride, I will never understand.  Anyway, they had to take four bus loads up. Each trip took 15-20 minutes. So the race started 40 minutes late and some poor runners who rode the first bus were up there for an hour. All of us were cold. So, as I said, terrible organization. (There was no race day registration, so they knew exactly how many people would need to be shuttled. No excuse, really.) Anyway, I don't mean to be so negative, but I believe unless things change for this race in the future, we may skip it. I hope we don't have to. It is fun to run in our own city. Here's hoping the race directors learn from this year's mistakes. I don't really see that happening, though, as last year the race ran just as non-smoothly for the same reasons. Come on, Eagle Mountain! Represent!

Linda Buttars Memorial 5k

Jonny with Julia and Gabe (23:45), Melody (22:57), Dad, Mom, Amber, Cami

(In past years I have suspected that this race is longer than 3.1 miles. Dad confirmed that it is actually 3.19. So there you have it. Adjust the times accordingly.)

Finally we enjoyed beautiful weather at this race! The last two years we have run (or walked very pregnantly) through rain and wind. The sunshine surely helped contribute to lower times compared to past years. Also, I have been running regularly all winter and spring, and lately training for a half marathon which is in a month. I was ready to run at this spring race. Jonny, on the other hand, has only run a few times since the fall. While this surely wasn't his fastest time (I beat him, which really doesn't happen often - even when he pushes the kids) he still kicked it and came in at a pretty quick pace. (Click here for the full race results.)

This race wasn't a huge one, so it was fun that most of us placed. Jonny placed third, I placed first (out of 25 in the 20-29 group), Dad placed first, Mom placed first, and Cami placed third. I also placed first in women overall! I believe that is a first for me. It was fun to be at the front of the pack. I was actually surprised when I saw the results because I knew there was one woman in front of me. But it turns out she as running the 10k and did the second loop. (Man, she was fast. I tried to catch her and just couldn't. Then she kept that pace and ran 3 more miles! Wow.)

Everyone had to leave to we stayed to collect the medals. (Man, I wish they'd just pass out the stuff right after each race. We had to wait for an hour for the 10k and mile run to finish. Oh brother. At least there was a bounce house for the kids to play in.) Jonny and I received ours, but we had Julia go up for the others. It was so funny to see her go up there three times and get the medals piled on! She received quite the applause.

Oh yes, and HAPPY 6th ANNIVERSARY to Jonny and me. What better way to celebrate than by running together? I love you, Jonny. Thanks for letting me beat you as an anniversary present. 

(Yes, this was Raggedy Ann's first race.)

Yes, this humongous trophy will most likely be in the garbage can soon. As awesome as it is, my anti-clutter tendencies just probably won't allow for it!

 Not sure why Julia is crying here. She just ate two ice cream sandwiches and has three medals and a trophy. What could possibly be wrong!?

 P.S. Jonny learned a lesson after this race. At home he got to work immediately and mowed the lawn. He felt dizzy and nauseous after that. Too much sun, too much exertion, not enough water. He finally felt himself again after taking a long nap. Take it easy next time, Jonny my love!

Grandma Julie's 80Y 5K

On our family blog I wrote all about the surprise party/5K we had for Grandma for her 80th. Follow this link to read all about it. It was awesome.