Dogtown 1/2 Marathon Race Recap and someone is 35 weeks pregnant!

It had been a long time since my last race.  Over 4 months.  When I don’t race often I kind of forget how to do it and I get really nervous.  I decided to make the decision last second to run this race, to just not overthink it and have fun.

My alarm went off at 6:45 and we were on the bus at 7:30.  I had some Powerade, a white bagel and a honeystinger waffle (my favorite) on the bus ride to the start. I always love point to point courses.

The finish line had about a million cows there to cheer us on.

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We got to the start and did a 1.5 mile warm-up (I kept it at a jog) and we ran into some of our favorite running peeps.  The porta potty lines were all short, it was the perfect temperature and I used to live in St. George and I just love it down there.  If I was to move anywhere—>  St. George is where I would go.

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A view from the starting line a while before the race started.  This was my 3rd time running Dogtown and each year they have changed the course.  It’s always a fun little surprise.

This year, the first .6 miles were uphill.  I have never started a race on the uphill…  I guess there is a first for everything.  Right after the big uphill was .5ish miles of DOWN DOWNhill.  So by the end of the up and down in the first mile I was pretty worried that my quads were already shot.  I knew I was going to have to real work hard.

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My one picture from along the course is below.  I listened to music the entire way and had my caramel gu for fuel at mile 6.5.

The middle miles were my favorite.  Those miles were in a beautiful canyon that had a ton of shade and lots of rollers that kept things interesting.  There was even a portion on a dirt/rocky trail which added a little change which was fun.

When the race started two girls went out fast!  I knew that they were both 2:50 marathoners but I was determined to keep my 3rd place spot for the entire race and not get passed.  I knew going into the race that it was not a PR course for me (the hills were intense).  I decided to focus on placing because we were all doing the same hills and that would push me to work hard rather than focusing on a certain time and feeling discouraged.

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I wasn’t very positive for the first 5 miles and kept telling myself that there was no way I could hold my place through the hills.  To help myself to stop thinking like that—>  every time I stated thinking negative I would just put a smile on my face for a second because it is hard to smile and be negative at the same time.  Smiling reminded me that I really do love to race and to just keep going and take it all in.  To love the feeling of pushing myself and getting out of my comfort zone.

I also thought about the quote that my friend sent me the night before:

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Here are the splits.  Miles 9-12 had a lot of up.  The last mile was down and flat which was an awesome way to finish the race.

My goal for hills is to continue to keep the same effort level as all of the other parts of the course.  I may slow down on those uphills but I am pushing myself at the same effort level as all of the other miles.  I love to count steps when I am running up a hill because it helps me to forget about the whole legs and lungs burning thing.

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Finished with a 1:27:51.  6:42 average pace.  3rd woman overall and 1st in my age group.

My running coach predicted a 1:27-1:29 for me on this course.  She is really good.

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A bunch of girls did the double dog dare which meant they started at the finish line, ran to the starting line and then ran back to the finish line.

HARDCORE!!!

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I did have one thing about the race that wasn’t my favorite.

It is now a cupless race.  That means they give you a plastic cup to fill up at water coolers that they had every few miles.  I ended up bringing a tiny water bottle that I went through in the first 5 miles.  I could have stopped to fill it up again but I just didn’t want to waste that much time and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get my legs moving fast again after stopping.  I felt extremely thirsty at the end.  I missed having the cups big time and there was probably a lot of crowding around the water coolers throughout the race.  There also weren’t any trashes along the course so I ended up carrying my sticky gu wrapper the entire race.  I know… such a silly complaint and it is great that they are going green but when I was trying to race, the 30 seconds to get my water at an aid station is too much and I didn’t end up hydrating like I normally do.

Overall, it was a great race and especially great for my Boston training.  It was awesome to escape to the sunshine and have a girls running weekend!

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Boston Training Week #8!!!

Monday: 12 miles total with 12 x 800s (.5 miles) @ 3:02 average.  400m recoveries in between each 800m.

Tuesday:  OFF!  Travel day to Minnesota!

Wednesday:  7 miles @ 7:33 pace on hotel treadmill.

Thursday:  Taught some spin and did 6 miles @ 8:34 pace.

Friday:  OFF!

Saturday:  18.75 miles total.  1.5 miles warm-up, 1/2 marathon, 4.15 miles cool-down.

Sunday:  OFF!

43.75 miles total!!!  Lower mileage than previous weeks but a lot more fast miles than usual.

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I’m going to be an aunt again soon!  BANGS FRIEND is 35 weeks along with a little boy!  She is still running and looks so beautiful!  Love this girl.

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My mom perfected the proper cooking time for the Ghirardelli brownie mix.  My sister and I went crazy over them.

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Hardest hilly race course that you have ever done?

Any races that you have done multiple times?!

Any new and exciting new in your life/family life?

If you could move anywhere, where would you move?

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106 comments

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Amazing race for you! Can’t imagine seeing those splits. I also get nervous every single time I race because it’s not often. Congrats to you, this must be a great boost to power the rest of your Boston training :)

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Congrats on your race….and your mom for making those brownies!!!
Hilliest course: Flying Monkey Marathon
I’ve run the country music marathon a bunch of times and the St Jude Memphjs marathon.
No babies here, but I do have puppy fever. Does that count?!!
Move: Rosemary beach Florida

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Great job on the race! I can’t imagine doing one mile at that pace, let alone 13! What a perfect prep for Boston!

If I could move anywhere it would likely be the Pacific Northwest. I love it there!

Bangs is adorable! Congratulations to her! And to you for being an aunt again soon! :)

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Great job girl!!! You are so speedy!

You shoukd check out the book “The energy bus” by Jon Gordon. It’s about being positive and focusing on all of the good in life..and how it carries into regular day to day things. It definitely changed my life!!

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Wow, a cupless race – I could see how that would work in maybe an ultramarathon setting where people tend to spend more time at aid stations and often have entire crews there to help them (filling water bottles, changing socks, getting food, etc) but in a half marathon or even a marathon where you are really focused on splits and running through aid stations, that could really mess things up! I don’t know how I feel about it.

Congrats on placing, sounds like a super fun race!

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Congrats!!! Sounds like it was a really fun weekend, and walking away with that big check is a fun souvenir! I hope you treat yourself to something really nice because you worked hard for it on that course! :)

I’ve done the Fort Lauderdale Half multiple times since I can walk to the start/home from the finish. It’s not quite as hilly as Dogtown. Total elevation gain of 20 feet I think! haha

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I did the harvest half in California wine country last year- they had one or two bad hills but the entire course was one rolling hill after another. The down hill portions were really rolling uphills lol- it was ny hardest course!

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Great job! Some races are so mentally tough! I like to carry my own water in cuo-less races. It saves time refilling, and for a half you don’t have to carry that much.

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YOU DA BOMB GIRLFRAN! Seriously, those splits are superhuman of sorts.

I’d move to sunny San Diego so that I could have perfect running temps all year <3. I had to do my 20 miler on a treadmill yesterday because of all the snow. If someone could end winter right now that'd be really super.

Have a great day!!!

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Goodness you are crazy fast!

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Congrats on winning that big check! Don’t spend it all in one place.. like Target or a froyo place! I wonder what $100 of froyo would look like…

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Amazing race! Utah is so pretty and scenic. I’ve never done a super hilly race—not many of those in the Midwest!

If I could move anywhere it would be Sammamish, WA, right outside of Seattle. The mountains and water are so beautiful and I love Seattle weather!

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I want to move to San Francisco! Been an east coast girl for way too long (my entire 41 years!)
I tend to repeat races often.
Nyc marathon twice
Nj marathon twice
Lots of nyrr races too. Staten Island half for 8 years straight.
Oh hilly. There was this one local race near West Point I did that was insanely hilly. I came in second to last. A couple shuffling their baby in a stroller finished behind me. Lol.
I’m injured and not running but yesterday it was 40 degrees and I wanted to run so bad!

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I’ve done the Top of Utah half a couple of times. I love it!
Congrats! You are so amazing!!!

And Yay for Bangs Friend!! She looks fantastic! How exciting :)

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Better to start out hilly than end with one. I did the RnR AZ two years ago and it ended with a torture hill. Thankfully I’m strong with hills and did well but many others did not do so well and it killed their time.

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The Flying Monkey Marathon is certainly the hilliest and hardest marathon of the 22 I have run, but it was also by far the most fun and with the best schwag and the most delicious post-race goodies and the most entertaining update emails from the race director throughout training. It is a must do! I have also volunteered at it twice because it is so much fun.

I have done the Country Music Half Marathon, the Virginia Beach Half Marathon, the RC Cola and Moon Pie Ten Miler, the Cooper Rover Bridge Run 10K, the Summer Solstice Brew-Ha 8K, the Peachtree Road Race 10K, and the Martha Jefferson Memorial 8K multiple times.

We are potty training! Have a potty throne and everything. And we used the same diapers for all 25 months (Bumgenius Organic Elementals), but they are in such great shape that they are attracting great bids on eBay! So not only did we make our money back by 10 months (if we were buying disposables that was the breaks end point so the next 15 months were “free”), but we are recouping some of the loss! Have 2 dozen for sale thus far, after retrieving the 6 extra at day care will list 2 dozen next weekend, and will keep the rest for nighttime until we are TOTALLY trained. Yay!

A small town near Boulder, Colorado.

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Congrats on your race!!

Ghirardelli brownies are THE BEST!! I love slightly underbaking them and adding a scoop (or 3) of vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup on top. :D

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Great race! Yay for Bangs!

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Dang, congrats on an awesome race!! Love that big check :)
I have avoided hilly race courses (which isn’t too hard to do in Ohio!), so I’m a bit nervous to see how I will do at Boston this year. I’m trying to prepare the best I can!

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Congratulations!! You rock a race like nobody’s business!

I love the big check…that must have been so much fun to get.

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Congrats to Bangs!! If I could live anywhere it would be in my hometown, San Diego or Paris.

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They changed the course of our RnR last year here in Denver and now it is quite hilly. I did not like the change. And neither did my quads haha.

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Congrats on the race time, and to your friend!

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Congrats Bangs Friend! She’s such a cute little pregnant lady :)
The hardest hilly course I’ve done is the Country Music Marathon Half. Although, any race in Nashville is crazy hilly. I’ve kind of learned to just “get over it!” (pun intended!)
I’ve done the Hot Chocolate 5k/15k twice now, will do the Predators Fangtastic 5k for the second time and the Country Music Marathon for the second time this year!

If you could move anywhere, where would you move?

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Looks like you achieved the higher end of what she predicted, you’re good! Despite the tough hills, you’re still #1 in your age group so that’s undeniably good. I aspire to be as speedy as you. How tall are you?

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KILLER race! Glad you had such a good time too!

The hilliest race I’ve done was a half marathon back in the fall through Newton, MA (the course actually takes you DOWN Heartbreak Hill, but not before it beats you up with a lot of uphills before that!)

I’ve done Boston twice, and another Boston half marathon 3 times now! It’s a super flat course and takes you all along the Charles River in Boston. And the bf is on the race board so that helps too :-)

I’d move to Colorado in a heartbeat if the right opportunity presented itself.

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I would definitely move to either Hawaii or California. I think I would miss the seasons (okay, only fall), for about a year. haha! I loooove the grape PowerAde Zero! It stuck out to me so much in the one photo because it’s my absolute favorite sports drink!

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Awesome job!! Not sure how I would feel about a cupless race…I would have probably had to run with my comeback or something! Congrats to Bangs Friend…that is so exciting!

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Fantastic job! I’ve never placed in a race but it must be a great feeling! $100 is nice too :) I hope I am as cute as Bangs Friend when I get pregnant!

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Awesome race! I always say I will move to Florida but will I actually ever do it? I doubt it but it is really appealing in the winter!

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I’ve done the same half marathon (which was the first one I ever did) 3 times! I’ve done a couple others, but there just aren’t that many races around here. Congrats to Bangs Friend :)

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Congratulations on your strong finish!! So, so awesome. I’m sure it was beautiful in St. George this weekend!

Oh my, Ghirardelli brownies are where it’s at. My very favorite! Figuring out the perfect cooking time is definitely crucial!

And a huge congrats to Bangs Friend! She looks too cute!

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Congrats on jumping in the race Janae. It sounds like it was really motivational for you. I don’t think I would like a cupless race either. I’ve actually never heard of something like that, it sounds interesting.

Congrats to Bamgs friend, that’s so exciting!

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Congrats on the payday! Do you get to keep the big novelty check? I’d have it framed.

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Yay Bangs Friend!!!!! She is adorable!!!!!!!!

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I really want to live in a city that isn’t too expensive or have too much traffic but where I can walk anywhere and doesn’t have extreme heat in the summer…any ideas?! Haha I think I am in a good medium right now in Richmond, VA but I would love to be able to walk more places. I hate that I have to drive 20 minutes to work everyday:(

Awesome race! Congrats! I am excited to run half marathons again once the marathon is over!

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omg yay for bangs friend! She looks so cute!! And congrats on your awesome race and BIG check! so exciting :)

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Congrats on your race, pretty lady! And, those BROWNIES.

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Congratulations!!! What an awesome race!

I had a really hard time with the downhills in the SLC Marathon, but my last marathon in France felt really hard and hilly after training in a flat city. Gotta love Utah!

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It is so hard to pick a place I’d move to; Seattle (home) is just amazing. If I did have the chance to move somewhere for just a year or so, I’d probably pick somewhere in Ireland… or maybe New Zealand. It would just be so difficult to be away from family!

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Aww, congrats to Bangs Friend!

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Congrats on a great race and another killer week of Boston training!! You are amazing!!

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Such a great race! You are amazing my friend! Can I borrow some of your speediness?

I’m not sure where I would want to move if I could move anywhere…I would love to be back living close to my family though. :(

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Great job my friend! You are going to kill it at Boston!!

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Awesome race! Congrats!
I think the hilliest race I’ve done was Flying Pig in Cincinnati. It had a killer hill really early in the race that destroyed me.

If I could move anywhere, I’d probably choose Orlando. I never want to see snow again. And I totally want to work at Disney.

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Congrats to your friend! How fun! :)

I would move somewhere warm and on a lake or ocean. I don’t know where that would be, but after almost 36 years of living in Michigan, if I was never cold or covered in snow again, I’d be thrilled.

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But not TX or anywhere else with massive spiders. Australia’s out, too…

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Omg brownies!! Congrats on your finish!

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Congrats! Great race! And congrats to Bangs friend.
I am starting training this week for the Philly Broad Street 10-miler that is in May every year. This will be my first race since having my twins! I’m starting at a novice level training plan and am excited to get back into it!

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A cupless race?! Idk how I feel about that. Runners gotta drink!

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Congratulations on a(nother) fantastic race, Janae!! and on the big check you received – how fun! :)

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Congratulations on 3rd place in a hilly race! That’s amazing Janae!

Hardest hilly race course that you have ever done?
-the Pittsburgh marathon. I live in Pittsburgh so I knew how hilly it would be, but the hills still KILLED me. This is a brutal course!

Any races that you have done multiple times?!
-the Pittsburgh marathon! (I guess I like the pain!?) I’ve done the full twice and the half twice!

Any new and exciting new in your life/family life?
-I just started my blog back up! I started it when I was training for my first marathon and stopped. I love reading blogs so I finally decided to try it out again. I’m so nervous about putting myself out there, but hopefully it goes well!

If you could move anywhere, where would you move?
-my fiancee and I discuss this A LOT since we love to travel so much. Right now our top picks are Montana, North Carolina, Boston and somewhere in Scandinavia! We’re taking a trip to Denmark and Sweden in April, so we’ll see how we like it there!

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Congrats on placing! Those hills look tough! I ran the Gasparilla half marathon yesterday and also did it last year.
And if I could move anywhere, it would definitely be Charleston, SC. It’s just such a cute little Southern city!

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Congrats on the half marathon, it sounds like a tough one!

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YAY! BIG CHECK! Haha that’s so cool! Great job, Janae! And congrats to Bangs Friend! She’s such a cute pregnant lady! :)

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Congrats on the race! I do the same thing with hills–counting the steps lol!

My hilliest race was the SF marathon. It was tough but really cool.

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Interestingly enough, the toughest hilly course I’ve ever done was the Tuscon marathon that has a net downhill. My quads were shot by mile 6. I HAAAATED it.

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Great job Janae!!!

The hardest hilly course I run is the Sidney Lanier Bridge 5k in Brunswick, GA (my hometown). The entire 5k is on the bridge- over the bridge and back. I’ve run it 3 years in a row, improving my time each year. I like the idea of counting steps to get through the hills!

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Congrats on your race – that is amazing – remember that feeling for Boston!! I run in Rhode Island, and New England is very hilly so it is good training for Boston, but I am getting nervous about not running outside for the last 4 weeks. It has just been too cold and no open road to run on with all of the snow. I am going to try counting steps on my next hill run though thank you!!

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congratulations on your 3rd place finish!

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CONGRATS ON THE RACE! I cannot get over how fast you are! I hope to be even half as good as you some day :) The only thing exciting going on is that we got a snow day today (in DALLAS), so I get to work from home on my couch in my PJs. My second half marathon is only a month away!

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Way to kill it, Janae!!! Your splits are so impressive. Congratulations on a third place overall finish and HUGE check. Woot woot!

There are a lot of trail run half marathons around Central Oregon that are extremely difficult – basically the first 6 miles are ALL uphill and the second half is all downhill. I have done a lot of the local races multiple times because it’s easy, you don’t have to travel far, and you know a lot of people.

I don’t think I would move away from Bend. I love my home. A second home in Arizona wouldn’t be so bad though. :)

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So I’m a slow poke runner compared to you but I know what you mean about race nerves. I haven’t done a race in so long I’m getting the itch. Sticking to 5ks for now.

My bdays coming up and I can’t wait for sushi dinner this week!
Congrats to bangs friend she is so adorable!!

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OMG you’re amazing!!!! Congrats on an awesome race! So inspiring! Hmm I also have mixed feelings about going green in a race. I think it could be dangerous (what if a runner drops a cup, etc.) and could cause some dehydration, but I also LOVE when people try to go green!

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Congrats!!!! I did a half marathon race three years in a row that is uphill for the first 2.5 miles. It’s pretty torturous, and the rest of the course has multiple hills throughout. Then I did the Cowtown Half (in Fort Worth, Texas) two years in a row, and that is by far my favorite race, even though it has some pretty killer hills.

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wow! well done on your timing of the race-that is super impressive and you’re coach totally knows how to call it!

i made the move to portland, oregon (yes…it’s exactly like portlandia) 5 years ago and i’ve been here ever since so i’m happy with the move!

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Nice job on the race, especially since you weren’t feelin’ it at the start. Just shows you what putting in the training does. And congrats to Bangs Friend!!

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I run the Thanksgiving 5K every year with my family. Its always freezing!!

Congrats on placing in the run!

I want to move to Austin, Texas. I’m tired of being cold and I’d love the culture there,

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Reading about how you dealt with negative thoughts, I was reminded of ELF – “I just like smiling, smiling’s my favorite.” :) Sounds like it was a great day for you. Congratulations!!

Hardest hilly race course that you have ever done?
Solider Marathon in Ft. Benning, GA – there are some massive hills (for me) and right at the beginning, too. It’s hard to feel like you’re going to do well after suffering right out of the gate. (with drill sergeants yelling at you!)

Any races that you have done multiple times?!
Disney Princess twice, but I wouldn’t again because it’s too big now. Twisted Ankle trail race I have done once and there is a hill that is STRAIGHT vertical, and I am thinking of doing it again, and at the same time questioning my sanity.

Any new and exciting new in your life/family life?
My little one is starting “Ninja School” (martial arts instruction) tomorrow and he cannot handle how excited he is. :)

If you could move anywhere, where would you move?
France.

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AMAZING race! I am doing my first super hilly half marathon this summer and I am incredibly nervous to say the least! I think I will definitely have to break out that smile trick – sounds like a lifesaver. :)

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Awesome job on getting 3rd! I ran a race called Hospital Hill Half Marathon one time. It was all up hill…which sounds impossible, but I struggled! I think it is my slowest half marathon to date.

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Congrats to Bangs!

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3rd place overall / 1st in your age group???!! Holy cow that is awesome!!! Congratulations!

Not sure where I’d want to live if I could live anywhere but your pics of the canyons make me want to visit Utah!

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I’ve never heard of a cupless race! It seems like a such a good idea in theory…..but I wouldn’t want to carry a cup the whole time and would probably end up going thirsty.

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If I could move anywhere I’d want to go somewhere warm year round (I’m so over 6+ month winters) that’s near water or mountains.

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Congratulations on your finish! That is awesome!

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I like the idea of a cupless race, in theory it sounds great.. but I could see how it would be a total hassel and not too great.
Great job on your race.!!! those splits and times are amazing. Love the cows at the start, reminds me of my hometown. haha

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You did amazing Janae! I am all about going green, but I am with you on the plastic cup thing, I would’ve wanted them as well. Congrats to Bangs!! Oh and that brownie looks heavenly :)

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Congratulations to you on the third place finish, J! That’s incredible!! Big changes for me? My husband and I just moved out of SF to the East Bay into a bigger place. I LOVE it here! Hope you have a great week! :)

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Congrats on running a fantastic race this weekend!!

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Congrats on your race!! Amazing!!

I have done my hometown (Ottawa, Canada) marathon a few times…and I’ve done Boston twice :))

Am trying not to repeat races now!

Hilly courses? No. I avoid them like the plague. But last year I ran a half in Portland, OR and the first 5 miles were uphill. And I didn’t know that it was going to be like that. UGH. LOL.

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Congratulations on a great race!! Dang you are speedy…if only I would be able to run like you do on bad days (>insert heart-eyes emoji here<).

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You rocked that race!! Congrats!!!
Those brownies look awesome!

Hilly courses: There is a small race in Agoura Hills, CA at Paramount Ranch. They do a summer race series there and that is def the hilliest course I have ever run.

Running a race multiple times: LA Marathon 4 times. But I haven’t done the current stadium to sea course yet and want to do that sometime.

New family stuff – My sweet girl just turned two and she got on the big swing today for the first time!! So fun

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I don’t know all the ladies…but the 2 i do know, Heather and Janice…yes, they are beasts! =)

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Congrats!!! Beautiful scenery too! You seriously have the race splits of my dreams! I really hope to run that fast someday. Right now I’m just working on having a sub 2:30 half!

Hilliest course so far for me has been running a 5k at Blossom Music Center here in Ohio… If you ever venture out this way, go see a concert there, its awesome! I actually PR’d at that race, so I can’t complain too much :)

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Great job with your race!! Your such an inspiration!

I currently live in Morgan Hill, Ca, so if I could move anywhere (and afford it) it would be Campbell, Ca haha I grew up there and love it!

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Great running! You’re so fast!

I think my hardest hilly course is the one I’m training for now– the Lake Placid Marathon! My first marathon…eek!

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You are so fast! I could never dream of times like those. I’ve never run the same race twice, but I’m registered to change that (sort of) this year! My friend and I did a half marathon relay last year, and this year we’re both doing the entire half together (same race/course). That counts, right?

And congrats to you on your race finish, and to Bangs Friend on her baby!

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Congrats to you on your finish, looks like you did an amazing job!

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Congrats on placing! I don’t like the idea of a cupless race. I don’t think I’d love waiting to fill up my bottle. (I’d have to wear my fuel belt with a bottle. No way am I carrying a cup the whole time, I’d drop it).

I’ve run the Women’s Oakley 10K (Mini) in Central Park 4 times. (It used to be called the 10k mini, it was the first race for women and named after the mini skirt).

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I do a lot of the local races annually and most are pretty hilly.

I’m in Sayulita, Mexico right now on vacation and I would move here. Maybe when my husband and I retire!

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BABY BANGS!!

So exciting! She just looks like “JOY”! :)

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Congrats on the race!

I’ve run the Ottawa Race Weekend every year for 5+ years. I know the 5K course a bit too well as it is used for the Army Run too. I could probably close my eyes and run it…..

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Congrats on third and $100! That is awesome!

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Wowza! Great time and congratulations on your 3rd place (and $$$!!!). AND congratulations to Bangs Friend, too! So exciting and so awesome for her to be up and running at 35 weeks!

Something exciting in our family… my son is turning 2 next week! And only 14 weeks until our Baby #2 is here :)

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I have run the Oregon Wine Country Half twice, but no other duplicates so far!

I’m starting a new job teaching gymnastics classes to toddlers/preschoolers!

If I could move anywhere it would be to our new house! We have to sell our townhouse first, so I’m impatiently awaiting our big move!

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Congrats on the awesome race!

The hilliest race I’ve done is the BAA Half Marathon. I’m sure it’s not as bad as the marathon but there are 2 REALLY tough hills at the very end of the course when your legs are already like jelly. It makes a negative split seems impossible!

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Congrats! When you posted the picture of the check the yesterday, I miscounted the zeros, and thought you’d gotten a check for $10,000!

Congrats to BF, too! She looks adorable.

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yay to you and Bangs friend!!

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Congrats! I always like to see people actually place in races bc I am in no way speedy enough to attempt or achieve that. Whenever I run races they are more for fun and completion, so it is cool to see someone who is able to actually compete. Way to go!

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Those brownies look like heaven.

I would love to live in Nashville but still work in Chattanooga……not possible as they are 2 hours apart.

The half marathon in Franklin is very hilly……….TN has some steep boogers……….it is in its 3rd year and I have run it each year, even PRing last year (although my PR is prob walking for you!) Can’t wait for this June to run it again!

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My niece is almost 3 months old, and is the most adorable little (chunky) baby! We love her so much. And if I could move anywhere RIGHT NOW, I feel like I’d want try living in SoCal. =)

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I am actually moving back home to sunny San Diego!! The move is next month so I am prepping my house to be sold in the mean time. Not going to lie this is all a bit stressful but I am super excited!

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That’s an amazing time.. I’m trying to run a sub 1.25 half this year, but i’m appreciating just how difficult it is to get those sort of times.. maybe the altitude training has done you the world of good?

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I have run the St. George Half marathon in January twice, and love it! It’s so pretty!

I would love to be able to get under 2:18 for my half marathon.

I signed up for my FIRST marathon this September! I am SO excited and scared out of my mind!

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i know, i feel like a dork commenting when this post is getting old but had to say a couple things 1) WOHOOO i saw the big check on IG and was so excited for you!! way to go, looks like a hilly as heck race and, well, c’mon, who doesn’t love a big ‘ol check! :)

2) for some reason my email subscriptions stopped working after this post. i don’t know what happened, no emails are coming through and when I try to click on the ‘Subscribe’ tab off the site it takes me to some Feedsburner error page with lots of html type jargon. i guess i was wondering if i’m the only person with an issue??…i miss HRG greeting me in the face every morning. ;)

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