PG Strawberry Days 5k

Jonny (19:40), Melody walking with Gabe, Grandma, Mom, Drew, Julie, Rudi. Met up with friends Kevin & Talyn Wong, Marianne McAllister & Dad

I thought Jonny was speedy in the Eagle Mountain race, but today he shaved 10 seconds of that record time! Pretty fast for a sleepy father of two.

Dad and Julia hung out while Gabe and I strolled this one. (Yes, a replay of this race with Julia just two years ago!) Gabe was a little fussy and I was pretty bored with walking after the first mile and a half. So we called it good, hid my number, and turned around! That way, we were able to cheer on our family and friends at the finish line. Walking three miles when you are yearning to run can be quite a downer. I even jogged down the first hill - just to feel the sensation for a few minutes. Can't wait to be full-on running soon. I ordered a double jogging stroller online this week. It's been 5 weeks since Gabe's birth and I am feeling ready to run again. We'll see how the two kids like it?!

Rudi, Julie, and the Wongs were newcomers to this, one of our favorite races. It's so fun to have a big group of friends to race with. I was so glad Grandma ran this traditional race. We've loved spending so much time with her this past week. I really miss Grandpa at times like this. In the past we'd visit with him after this and other races. But no doubt he is still cheering amazing Grandma on as she runs. Love you, Grandpa.

Come on, Gabe, races aren't that bad.

P.S. While quite simple, the t-shirt is much improved compared to past years. Gabe's turtle outfit is still more awesome, though.

Pony Express Days 5k

Jonny (19:50), Mike Baird

This is our Eagle Mountain race. With a new downhill course, it was advertised as Utah's fastest 5k. Jonny ran his best time since high school, so the claim held true!

A buddy from work, Mike Baird, ran this one too. That made it fun for Jonny, especially since we three didn't run. But we made it in time to cheer him on at the finish line. I was surprised at how soon he came in!

Here they are, pictured with Spiderman. All the proceeds of this race went to a three-year-old boy's cancer fund. ("Spiderman Fights Cancer") I love when the money from a race goes to a good cause, giving the run more purpose.

I look forward to running this one next year. Maybe I'll turn out a PR too? We'll see...

Linda Buttars Memorial Run/Walk

Jonny (5k around 23:00), Melody and Julia and Jonny walked the 1 mile

Our friends Kevin and Talyn Wong informed us about this race in West Jordan. We were totally in when we saw the registration fee was only $5 - including the t-shirt. (That is more like it!) Jonny started running two weeks ago so he felt pretty good. Julia and I have been walking about 30 minutes most mornings so we were defintely up for the 1 mile.

We knew the weather would not be kind, but we thought perhaps the rain would let up a little. No! It poured through the entire event. But it was kind of adventurous. Jonny was soaked to the bone, but I stayed quite dry under his large rain jacket, and Julia was bundled up in the stroller with a big blanket draped over. She loved watching the rain come down all around us. And it kept her content in the stroller, rather than exploring on foot.

We came home happy with our experience, glad to have seen our friends the Wongs, and very pleased with the classy red race shirts. Our only disappointment was the fact that the brisk walk did not induce my labor. (It's still two weeks before the due date, but we've had our hopes up that he'd be here this weekend! Oh well... see you sooner than later, Gabey Baby.)

Cedar Hollow Turkey Trot 2008

Jonny (time?), Melody and Julia, Dad, Mom, Amber, Matt, Drew

Amber organized this Thanksgiving Morning race

last year and it looks like it's officially a tradition now. It's a 2 or 4 mile run/walk around her neighborhood in Lehi. Julia and I walked the 2 miles along with Dad while the others ran the 4 miles.

It was a cold, wet morning, but the rain cleared up during the race. We warmed up with hot chocolate afterward while the kids ran their race around the block. I always love a race on this holiday - it seems the perfect way to prepare for

the feast!

We will certainly run this one each year we are in town for Thanksgiving. Thanks for establishing such a close, affordable race, Amber! (It was $2 or $8 with a fleece headband. You won't find a better deal anywhere.)

Logan First Dam 5k

Jonny (20:30), Melody (24:42), Grandma Julie, Mom, Amber, Drew

I ran this one several years ago and other family members have run it over the years. Usually it is snowy and freezing this time of year in Logan. But last Saturday was a perfect, brisk fall day. We left Julia with Lili and Jeff, expecting it to be too cold for her and leaving the stroller at home.

Drew, Amber, and I were close the whole race. I pushed just a little ahead when "Livin' la Vida Loca" came on my ipod! (The beat of the music really does make a difference.) Drew raced ahead of me at the end - there was no way I was going to catch him!

I felt great about my time, especially since I was taking it easy a little, being 12 weeks pregnant and all. (I stopped running when the nausea was really bad the first few weeks. Then I started feeling a little better so I eased back in. I think I am done for now, though. It's getting too cold for Julia to run with me outside and I had headaches after running Friday and Saturday. I will stick to walks on nice days now.)

Jonny ran an awesome race! 20:30 is his PR (post-high school track days. of course). He, Amber, Grandma, and I placed second in our age groups, and Mom was third in hers. Fun! Click here to link to see the results.

Oh, and we all loved the shirts: fancy, long-sleeved, stretchy, dry-release with an mp3 pocket!

Amber, Mom, and Drew pretending to be candid in this picture: Notice the Logan temple in the background.

Beat Beethoven 5k

Jonny (20:34), Melody and Julia (24:23), Amber and friend Corie Cluff

This race was a part of the Pleasant Grove Heritage Festival. We loved the course, which started started out downhill and only had a slight uphill stretch. (We wish Strawberry Days would follow this same route, in fact.) The goal was to run the race in under 32 minutes, the length of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. We all made it well under the time limit, were awarded Beethoven pins, and had fun listening to the remainder of his classical piece as we ate fruit.

As you can see from the result cards, this was a great race for Jonny! There were probably around 100 runners, so it was a small group. But second place overall, wow! Jonny reported that it was pretty awesome to be in the front. (For a month of so he's been running during his lunch hour at work - in the heat of the day. Way to go, my Love. You deserve that blue ribbon!)

Julia and I were quite pleased with our time as well. One of my favorite things is when Julia looks back at me while we are running. She always smiles.

Alpine Days 5k

Jonny (22:18), Melody and Julia (25:10), Mom, Amber, Cortnie, Drew

We always love this one. (But since Amber found out the course is actually 3.2 miles, we like to shave a few seconds off our times. Hey, Julia and I technically made it under 25!) It's nice and early- 7:00- to race the sun coming up. Each year it is fun for me to catch up with high school friends and cross country teammates. I was anxious to see if Julia and I could beat our time from last year's race. Having our tires fully pumped the entire race, and me not having given birth to a baby two months ago, we ran it over three minutes faster! Jonny ran a great race and came back to cheer us on for the finishing stretch.

Cortnie and I both won first place in our age divisions! (I believe there were about 10 or 12 in mine.) Mom won second place in hers. So we three brought home trophies. Lovely! Maybe this one will be in the shower for another year. Ha.

Mom and Drew tended Julia while Jonny and I headed up to Lambert Park after the race to mountain bike. (It was so fun after the PG 5k we decided to repeat that morning!) It is gorgeous up there and the trials are fun and challenging.