Turkey Trot

 Jonny (??), Melody (23:21), Julia and Brenna, Gabe (??) and track friends, Daniel (24:09), Michael (27:15), Aaron Michaelson, Evy and Clay 

There's no better way to start Thanksgiving Day! We love this community event and are grateful to those who organize it each year. We came home refreshed and ready to cook - and eat! 

Bear Trap Trail Races

 Jonny (23k at 2:25:49, 2nd place men), Melody (10k at 1:31, 3rd place women) 

This race was so challenging. I spent a whole lot of it hiking (which is half of what trail running is, as I now understand!) The views were incredible and the fall leaves beautiful, so I do believe it was worth it. But man, I did not anticipate that first very long climb. I had run this race before, but a different course. So it really did take me by surprise! Jonny ran an incredible race and felt really good. It was a lovely morning to be in the mountains. 

 

Eagle's Gate 1st Ward 5k

 Melody (22:57), Daniel, Michael (Meanwhile, Gabe ran an amazing 16:58 at his Cross Country!) 

There was a small turnout at this race, but we love it because it always makes a Saturday morning run in August much more fun! Amanda Isham and I ran together nearly the whole race, coming in first together. :) The kids loved the foam party later on. (Jonny and Evy missed the race for an early soccer game. But Evy and Abigail ran a killer three-legged one later on!)

Alpine Days 5k 2024

 Melody (22:52), Evy (29:39), Daniel (24:03), Michael (26:49) 

We're back! We missed the race last year for the first time in 15 years. (minus the year 2020 when it was canceled.) So it was fun to wake up in the dark, early summer hours again (??!) and head out to run this lovely, familiar course. Jonny and Julia were up hiking a mountain and Gabe was getting in a 50 mile bike ride. The remainder of us cheered one another on in this super fast race for all! Check out those PRs for all three kids! (The buddies have been putting in some serious milage at the Eagle Mountain Kids Run Club this summer. It shows!) I even came home with a first place medal for my age group, and my fastest 5k time this year. We always love to chat with Pasketts, and there was even a Shawn Moon sighting this year! Finish it off at Kneader's french toast and you have one memorable August morning. 

Memorial Day Run or Remembrance

 Jonny (he ran several races, back and forth!), Melody (5k at 23:05), Gabe (10k at 39:19), Daniel (1 mile at 7:21), Michael (1 mile at 8:40), Evy (1 mile at 9:01), Parley, and Gavin. 

We're still disappointed that Eagle Mountain no longer hosts a Pony Express Day race, so we remembered this one that we ran in lieu of that one a few years ago. Gabe was excited to run his first official 10k, especially with track season just ending and cross country beginning. He killed it coming in under 40 minutes! He was first place in his age division and fourth place overall! The younger three ran a fast one mile. I was happy with my 5k run, and Jonny was the greatest coach/cheerleader/trainer for all of us, and Parley and Gavin as well. It was a fantastic morning! We ended it with a walk down the street for kolaches. :) 

Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim

 Jonny with these guys: Conrad, Jed, Jimmy, Chad, and a couple other Tooele dudes.

...and this many miles: 45.55

and this many feet of climbing: 11,473

moving time: 14:08:20

I was invited to join a group of cool dudes from Tooele on this adventure. I was just coming off a knee injury and got in shape just well enough to really enjoy this run. Snow on both rims, but toasty at the bottom. I'd love to do this any time again... it was such a blast!

Gabe's CVHS Track Season 2023

 

Thanksgiving Point Tulip 5k

 Melody (23:54) 

This was the first year any of us have run this famous local race! Gabe recently joined the high school track team (good cross-training for mountain biking), so we figured it would be a fun, festive one for he and I to run. Little did we know, back when we registered, that he'd be such a fast freshman on the team! We didn't anticipate him going to the invitationals, and has competed in every one so far, including the Tiger Trials today. So, no 5k for him. I was really looking forward to running through the gardens with Gabe! (Rather, several minutes behind him...) But I asked around a found a friend Amanda Isham who was happy to take his bib. It was a cloudy morning, but the rain held off during the race and the flowers were gorgeous. I ran close to a guy who was really taking it all in. He was vocally in awe of the beauty of the course, and even took a detour to

see the fish pond and exclaim about the Koi! I was happy we were in the same vicinity most of the run. That was his first visit to the Gardens. I love that he was so aware and present of his surroundings. He certainly could have run a lot faster! "Take time to smell the roses" must have been his motto for the day. Maybe for life? I love it. 

Note: If we run this one again, be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes early. And if there's already a pileup, park further out, then walk to the Gardens. There was a huge backup and many didn't make it to the start line on time, even though they delayed it by 20-30 minutes.