Alpine Days 5k and Toddler Trot

Jonny (19:46), Melody (23:30), Julia, Gabe, Dad, Mom, Amber, Cami, Drew, Julie

Another year, another 5k in Alpine. Always a lovely course. But it seemed more challenging to me this time. Strange, because it is the first time since Julia was born that I have run this one without pushing any kids. (Katy watched all three at the park nearby.) I missed my buddies, but enjoyed the freedom - especially on the uphill. I really tried to push myself, which wasn't easy since I haven't been running a whole lot since Evy was born exactly three months ago. But I came in at a great time and even placed first in my age group. As did Jonny! Mom, Dad, Cami, and Drew also placed. 

The kids were really looking forward to this race. Julia tripped at one point but was a trooper and finished strong! Gabe wanted me to carry him for the last little bit, but after minimal encouragement he made it to the end on his own. Excellent. Now we are all exhausted after this early morning and ready to be in bed. It's 7 pm and the kids are asleep. Jonny and I will surely follow suit asap! (Wait a second, Julia just came out. Asap may be a little later than I had hoped...)

 Here we are being nerds and posing Olympic-style with our gold, silver, and bronze medals

 This is Gabe wanting the camera

 This is Julia not wanting her picture taken

 Here we are, ready for the Toddler Trot

 Gabe made it!

 Julia was all-too-excited for this lollipop

 See, Evy did join us. She is under there. Underwear?

Pioneer Day Classic 5k

Jonny (18:56), Melody and Evelyn (24:58), Dad, Mom, Cami, Jake, Drew, Julie, and kids race for Julia, Gabe, and Ally

This was Evelyn's first 5k. (We walked half of the AF Canyon one, so it doesn't really count.) I have been running for about a month, and feeling pretty sluggish. I thought this would be a slower race for me, but I pushed myself and we did quite well for ourselves! It was not easy though. Somehow I forgot that half of this race is a long, slow ascent that seems never to end - especially when pushing a stroller with a wakeful and not too happy baby. But Evy calmed down and we were able to finish the race happily. If felt so good to be running fast and working hard. Even exhilarating!

Jonny set a new loop course PR and broke 19 minutes. Amazing. He came in second place over all - only a few seconds from coming in first place overall. (Actually, according to chip time he was first place, but overall winners are awarded according to gun time. Makes sense so he didn't feel robbed.) He may want to write more about the race. It was a challenging one for him as he and the other runner passes one another throughout. But what a time!

Jillian watched the kids while we ran. They were super excited for the kids race and ran their hardest. Julia was serious about it, while Gabe just ran to run. So fun to watch them. We waited in line for a while for the hot air balloon lift, but they ran out of fuel before it was our turn. (Next year remember to ride the balloon right about our race is finished. There is plenty of time before the kids race and awards ceremony to do this.)

I am pretty beat today but was happy to start the day with a race. It's been a while and I've missed the feeling. Plus it was fun to introduce Evy to our running ways. Though tired and hungry, she was a trooper.

 

Don't mess with Julia...

 

The kids were pretty excited about their coupons for a free meal at Costa Vida, so we used them this very day!

AF Canyon Half Marathon and 5k

Jonny (1:27:10), Melody and Evelyn (walked the 5k), Grandma, Mom, Dad, Amber, Cami, Jake, Drew, Julie (all 5k)

I didn't want to be left out of the fun at this race so I decided to walk the 5k. Well, turns out that is pretty boring and long. (I remember thinking that when I walked one when Julia was just a few weeks old.)  So we cut it short in hopes of making it in time to see Jonny run in. No chance. He was speedy.

I will let Jonny write about his half marathon when he finds the time and if he so desires. For now, suffice it to say that he rocked it. (And that he set a new half marathon PR and came in 1st in his age division. Yes, that is my man.)

Pony Express Days 5k

Jonny (18:37)

 I had been running with some of the scouts for a couple months and we wanted to run a 5k to top off the training. Some boys couldn't make it, most didn't want to, but Thom and his boy Noah, and Andrew came to represent troop 1251.

So I had a lofty goal of getting under 19mins as this was a downhill course. Started out fast and just like every year at the 1 mile marker, I got passed by this small, quick lady. I tried to hang on, knowing she was a speed demon. I came in at 18:37, a time I haven't seen since high school, but again aided by gravity. Felt good.

Lehi HS Basketball Fundraiser

Jonny (19:50)

 This race was a fundraiser for Jordan's basketball team. It was a nice morning and a great out and back course. It wasn't a huge turnout but enough people to make it a race.

I ran a 19:50 but found out later it was 3.05 miles so at that pace I still would have been over 20mins :( but I felt great.  Drew came in 2nd and he was flying as well.

Linda Buttars 5k/1 Mile

Jonny (20:39), Melody (1 mile walk), Julia and Gabe (walk), Dad, Mom, Amber, Cami (and remember, this course is 3.19 miles)

It was a chilly morning, but nothing like the first two frigid years we ran this one. The kids and I were really excited to see Jonny coming in first place overall! Apparently that is a first for him. Yeah baby! He did run a quick one, especially for the first race of the season. (He has been running for a little while now, training for the AF Half in June.) Last year I was first woman overall at this small race - we'll see if the stars can align and we two can take this one someday...

Dad and Mom placed first in their division, and Cami second in hers. They all walked the 1 Mile with the kids and me. Man, it seemed like a long mile with my tummy! Julia ran about half of it with Jonny but Gabe opted to stroll. I was a little jealous not to be running, but this baby girl is worth it. Will I walk this race a third time 8+ months pregnant? Only time will tell!

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!