Alpine Days 5k 2019

Jonny (20:30), Melody (22:44), Gabe (27:34), Mom, Evy and Daniel and Michael in the Toddler Trot

Each year when we wake the kids at 5:45 to leave our house in time to get to this race, we think to ourselves, "We don't have to do this. Do we really want to do this!?" But we're always glad we did. (To clarify, the kids don't complain about getting up early. They're up for it! Especially with the now-traditional Kneaders french toast breakfast to look forward to. I guess it's just Jonny and me who second-guess the venture!)

Julia was our babysitter extraordinaire as Jonny, Gabe, and I ran the 5k. That cemetery hill never gets any easier! But we love this course anyway. Gabe ran an incredible race and came in with a new PR. Go G-man! Jonny, Mom, and I all placed first in our age divisions. And the youngest three ran their hardest in the race around the park. We cheered on and chatted with Amy Worthington from Bamboo, and did our annual catch-up with Matt Paskett and his two adorable girls. Then it was breakfast, Julia's choir audition right there in Highland, and home to catch our breath before heading out to spend the afternoon and evening with Grandma Myra.

Mantua Dam Run 2019

Jonny (34:19), Melody (38-ish), Grandma Julie, Mom

This was such a memorable race! We decided to make a weekend of it and camp right there in the heart of Mantua at the Little Valley Campground. Mom and Dad were at the neighboring site with their Tab. Turns out we were at the hub of the city days festivities! From our camp spot, we could walk right up to the reservoir to kayak and swim. The race course went right past there too, so the kids and Dad cheered for us mid-race from there, and at the finish line tat the park too. Saturday night there was a live band playing rock n roll classics that we sang along and danced to. Then up the hill again to watch the fireworks over the water.

The race around the dam is lovely. It feels extra long when you're on the other side, though! The green hills are a beautiful backdrop, and the whole course is quiet and refreshing.

The kids were an energetic and faithful cheering squad for all of us runners. Dad and Van, too. All five kids ran in the last stretch with their Great Grandma Julie. I know she absolutely loved that, and I hope the kids never forget it.

Back at camp, Jonny cooked us some eggs and sausage, Evy cut stems off strawberries, and blueberry muffins completed our breakfast. The overcast day had us all hopping in the car to head to Crystal Hot Springs, per Papa's suggestion. The silky, steaming water felt so good on our muscles, and the buddies were crazy about the water slides. Our next spontaneous stop was Promontory Point! When I saw the roadsign pointing the way, I knew we just had to get our there during this year that marks the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike. Off we went! Then Mom and Dad treated us to early dinner at Maddox (the rolls!), and we were back at camp to kayak, watercolor, throw the frisbee, and relax. Julia, Gabe, Mom, and Dad went out to visit Clark and Brenda. Then we all enjoyed a late night of live music and fireworks. See, memorable, right!? We might just do it again next year...

Note on my time: Of course I can't possibly remember what it was, even just a few weeks later! But Jonny knows his time from his watch, and we did some detective work with the time stamp on photos taken by Julia. It looks to be closer to 38 minutes than 39. 

AF Canyon Half Marathon 2019

Jonny (1:28:20), Melody (1:36:36), Drew

It's been six years since we last ran a half marathon. I'll admit, I wasn't sure I wanted to commit and train when Jonny told me he'd like to sign up. But I decided it was time for a good challenge, and I signed up too. Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archives books kept me plenty entertained during long runs, and I always appreciate Jonny's occasional coaching and course recommendations. I ran only about three days a week, with an increasingly longer run on Saturdays. Since my training wasn't as intense as past years, I was shocked to achieve a new personal record by 20 seconds! But thinking back about how I felt while runnning the beautiful course, I guess I'm not too surprised. I felt so good. Even at mile 11, I had enough energy and drive left to finish pretty strong. The familiar and nostalgic course was inspiring and kept me pushing myself to "run faster, not harder" as Jonny suggests. It was exciting to have Drew catch up and surprise me at the golf course, then take off to set his own PR. The race was very well done, with encouraging signs along the way and plenty of water stations. I especially appreciated the pre-run yoga up at Tibble Fork. It was cooool up there! I didn't want to take off my space blanket to stretch, but I'm glad I did.

Jonny and I are both glad we took the time to train for and run this race. We were grateful to Julia for holding down the fort as we left so early in the morning, especially since she had just returned from girls camp the day before and was looking forward to sleeping in. :)

It was an unusually busy week for me: Girls Camp, Half Marathon, The Good and The Beautiful Convention. But each part of it was so inspiring and fullfilling that I was so glad to have experienced it all and had much to reflect on and write about in my journal come Sunday.

Pony Express Days Cupcake Run 2019

Jonny (19:26), Melody (22:23), Gabe (27:51), Evy and Daniel and Michael in the kids race

Happy Birthday to Julia! The race and parade fell on her birthday again this year, and it definitely was a full and festive day. Julia opted to stay home and enjoy her sleep on her birthday, so we all surprised her after the race by knocking on the door with a cupcake with lighted candle in hand, complete with birthday song caroling. Her 12-year-old sleepy smile was the best part of my day.

Gabe, Jonny, and I weren't scared off by a rainy race morning, but were still pleased when it cleared up before the 7:00 start time. This downhill course is always welcome and goes by quickly. Check our Gabe's improvement from the year before! He was proud to wear his black shirt with a pink cupcake on it all day. The younger kids ran well and hard, especially with the mini cupcakes as extra motivation. :)