Timp Half Marathon

Jonny (1:33:25) 10th in age division of 85, 45th overall men out of 400ish
Melody (1:41:30) 8th in age division of 134, 72nd woman overall out of 900ish

This was a hard race! We trained well enough and felt prepared, but both of us were just dead afterward! Not sure why, the course is very similar to the AF Canyon one, mostly downhill. Yes, we enjoyed it, and were very glad we did it together. But it wasn't easy. Not that half marathons ever are, especially at the paces we were running. I was thrilled that I came in under my goal of 1:45. (Not sure that I will ever get my 2011 half PR again, I certainly wasn't shooting for it this race.) Anyway, it was fun to have my Alma Mater welcome me in. And I was very surprised at how good the Chick-Fil-A nugget samples tasted after a race. We had to eat there for dinner!

AF Canyon 5k

Jonny (19: 57), Melody and Evy (25:03), Dad, Mom

We would have chosen this race for our half marathon but originally Jonny had scout camp scheduled for this weekend. When it was rescheduled, we thought we'd might as well run the 5k. But when our babysitter didn't show up in the morning, we weren't sure if we'd run it after all! We headed to the race hoping we'd see a family on the sidelines that we know who the kids could sit with. No luck! Then what do you know, we ran into Matt who was the photographer for the race. Julia and Gabe chilled with Uncle Matt for 20 minutes until Jonny crossed the finish line. (He was 3rd overall in men.)  Evy was cheerful with me most of the race. But I tried to pick up my speed toward the end as she was done. (I was first in my age division, out of 75 25-29 year olds! This race brings out a lot of walkers :)

Pony Express Days

Jonny (18:12), Melody (21:14), Dad and Mom, Julia, Gabe, Evy in kids run

I am writing about this a few months later so my memory escapes me as to the details. But as you can see, Jonny set a new downhill PR. Crazy fast! I was happy with my race too. Can't remember if we placed. I am sure Jonny did but there were lots of fast ladies so can't say that I did. Anyway, it was a fun race and started on time this year, for which we were very glad. Oh, and it was Julia's birthday! And quite the day with a race, parade, and carnival. She thought it was the best. Even having a babysitter first thing in the morning was exciting to her! (Jonny picked up the kids after our race.)

Beat Beethoven 5k

Melody (22:35), Dad, Mom, Amber, Drew, and friends: Mittons, McCall Johnson, Tori Spainhower, Ashley and Makayla Pitcher

They switched it up and held this race in May rather than the usual September. (It is part of a new Pleasant Grove "race series.") The turnout wasn't as great as in past years, and neither was the organization. But I was just glad to run a race and see how I feel in my new shoes. Excellent! I feel like the form is coming more naturally to me lately and I have more confidence running in these 3mm drop shoes for the half marathon in July.

It was a little windy and rainy, but that turned out to be nice conditions for this run. I placed 2nd women overall. It was fun to run with all the Cross Country boys who had a faithful traveling cheer-van! I missed Jonny (out of town with the YM) and the kids (playing with the Pecks) but it was so nice to get out and run fast.

Cedar Hollow Turkey Trot

Jonny (with Gabe and Julia!), Melody (with Evy), Turpins, Pecks, Drew and Julie

Happy Thanksgiving! This year a neighbor of Amber's asked to host her annual race for his Eagle Scout Project. We all braced ourselves and ran the three cold, windy miles. Not wanting to leave the kids out, we piled both jogging strollers in the van and ran as a complete family for the first time! Jonny and I took it easy and stuck together. (That is not something that happens often and I really loved running beside Jonny.) The kids hopped out at the last half mile or so to run it in. Then we hopped right back in the van to warm up all the little red noses and cheeks! 

P.S. What little running I have been doing for the past few months has been on and off in my new Saucony Kirvana shoes. They has a 3 mm heel drop. I may work my way down to 0 drop shoes but I felt like I needed a more transitional shoe first. This is the fist race I have run in them. They felt pretty good!

Beat Beethoven 5k

Jonny (19.36), Melody and Evy (25:12), Dad, Mom, Amber, Cami, Jake, Drew, Julie, Mitton Family

Another annual favorite. Evy was a sweetheart and only fussed a little. Jonny came in 1st place overall! I was 2nd in women 20-29 and 5th in women overall. So good to be running again.

And of course we love to see the Mittons at this race each year. Crazy how quickly the years go by. I think this is the third time we've run this race with them. Wow.

Eagle Mountain Utah North Stake 5k and 1k

Jonny (19:11?), Melody and Evy (24:30), Julia and Gabe (1k)

There wasn't a huge turnout at this race, but our ward members represented all the way. Jonny was second male overall and I was second female overall. (I was beat by little Makayla Pitcher by only a few seconds. I am amazed at how fast these kids can run! She and I were back and forth the entire race. It was fun to chat every now and then. She was awesome.) So, yes, Eagle's Gate ward is the defending champ. Sweet.

Evy was attentive and happy the whole race. Even though there was quite a bit of uphill, I didn't feel that the  stroller was slowing me down excessively. Perhaps it added about a minute to my time, but it was worth it to see Evy's sweet smile as I ran.

Julia and Jonny ran the 1k together while Gabe, Evy, and I slowly made our way. Gabe was tired of running after only a minute or two. So we pretended we were various animals - a tiger chasing bird, a dragon chasing a rabbit, etc. It really got him running! Fun.