Eagle Mountain Turkey Trot 2018

Jonny, Melody

I can't remember our race times, but come to think of it, I don't believe there was a finish line clock at all. And since I don't wear a watch, who knows!? It doesn't matter. We love starting the holiday with a race or casual run of any kind. This year it really wasn't too cold, and we had wished we'd brought the kids to run or play at the park. Next year!

Alpine Days 2018

Jonny (20:08), Melody and Gabe and Papa Steve (34:33), Nana Jan, Evy and Gabe and Daniel in the Toddler Trot with Julia and Gabe as helpers, Fonseca Family

We did the math and found this to be our 12th consecutive year running this race! I guess we love it! This year we brought back the tradition of Kneaders french toast after the race. I think that'll stick. :)

Jonny won first in his age group. He came home with the biggest medal we have ever seen. (Not sure if he earned it with a 3 miler! Lol Alpine.) It was great to run with Gabe and my dad. I also got to run and chat with Matt Paskett for a mile or so as he pushed his little one. (Running in Alpine is always nostalgic, but even more so running with one of my old best friends through our old stomping grounds.) I pushed Gabe every now and then to run harder, and he especially zoomed down the cemetery hill. It's a challenging course, but a great one. We loved seeing the Fonseca family there and cheering on little Tessa, along with the buddies and Evy, in the kids race.

Cupcake Charity 5k and Kids Run (Pony Express Days)

Jonny (18:26), Melody (22:10), Julia (37:21), Gabe (32:07), and Evy, Daniel, Michael in Kids Run

They changed up the course a bit this year to end on a downhill to the amphitheater. We all agreed it was a good change. Why not add more decline to this fast course?! Despite a potty stop early on in the race, I actually placed this year, 3rd in women. (The super fast woman who wins every year wasn't there.)

This was Gabe's first 5k and he ran a fantastic one! I was sad not to be there to welcome him at the finish line, but I cheered for him from the road as I hurried home to retrieve the littles from their babysitter. It was so neat to see him running hard as he neared the end of the three miles.

Jonny joined Julia for her last mile, and they came in strong after what had been a discouraging first few miles for her. Running is very much a mental sport, and we were so proud of her for overcoming the doubt and racing it in.

Evy, Michael, and Daniel earned their cupcakes by running well in the kids run. The Chick-Fil-A cow was a big motivator! I was surprised that the boys finished the race - it was longer than I had envisioned. Julia and Gabe were fantastic running partners for them.

We love running with friends, so were happy to see Tony Fonseca at the race.

After the traditional fist weekend of summer race, on to the traditional parade! June always starts out so festively. (Especially since Julia's birthday is on the first!)

Think Pink 5k

Melody, Bethany Waters, Rebecca Walker, Keri Romine

I was honored when these women asked me to join their team at this event. Bethany is battling Stage II Breast Cancer, and we neighborhood women are rallying to show her our love and support. Her faith and optimism is truly inspiring, and spending the morning with these uplifting ladies is something I won't forget. The turn out was small at the race, so we were mostly on our own throughout the three miles. My phone provided some tunes (90s playlist. Why not!?) and we sang, laughed, and enjoyed getting to know one another better. This race was also, in my part, in honor of Kiera. She is doing amazingly well. We're so grateful her organs are now cancer-free, and she is now undergoing treatments to stop any possible spreading. I'm in awe of these strong women who are fighting this unfair battle. You've got this, Girls!

Eagle Mountain Turkey Trot

Jonny, Melody

I'm writing this months later! So of course the race times have been long forgotten. Despite the course being a there-and-back, we enjoyed the race and will likely hit it up next year. It wasn't too crazy cold, and it had been years since we did a Thanksgiving race. We loved starting the day with a good run. Julia watched the kids at home and we were happy to see friend Tony Fonseca make it to the race.