10 Sunday Things and The WAVES of Running/Racing!

Let’s first talk about some things from our Sunday before jumping into marathon talk.

1.  Brooke and Knox are our usual alarm clocks on Sunday but with both gone we considered it a major accomplishment that we still woke up and got ready and were early for church.  It’s a miracle.

2.  He was in the mood for cereal for breakfast and I had a Kodiak Cake cooked with bananas and topped with raspberries and super fruit syrup.

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3.  I tried on the Hyperion for the first time ever (don’t they look great with a dress;) and I think they are going to be the thing that gets me running fast again.  “Our lightest and fastest road-running shoes, the women’s Hyperion racing flats are made for chasing down personal bests- no matter what speed that is. Engineered for maximum efficiency and energy return, they’re light years ahead of the competition.”  That sounds fun.

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4.  After church it was back to painting…

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5.  The wall that was once the same color as the sun is now finished:

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6.  BROOKIE THEN CAME HOME TO US!!!

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7.  We were all pretty happy about it.

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8.  The best bbq chicken sandwiches over at my sister’s house!

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9.  And of course trampoline time!  PS we are going to get one of these (with the nets) in our backyard…

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10. I randomly came across this picture yesterday and it made me happy… instead of decorating my car with crazy stuff they left two boxes of donuts and cute balloons on them after my wedding.  Perfect.

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We sure do a whole lot of work as far as our physical strength goes when it comes to marathon or race training but what about all of the mental work?  Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about the different emotions that come during the marathon and learning how to cope with them when they come during the race.  I was talking about it on the long run with my friends the other day.  There are so many different emotions that come race day:

Anxiety, excited, angry, happy, joyful, gratitude, exhaustion, worry, pain, confidence, defeat, boredom etc. etc. etc.

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Can you ever think of any other time in life when you feel that many different emotions in just a few hours?  I can’t.

I think the thing I really want to learn to do during the marathon is to RIDE THE WAVE.  I really want to try to figure out how to embrace whatever emotion/feeling is going to come my way because most of the time… that exact emotion only lasts a mile or two until the next one comes.  We can do anything for just a mile or two, right?  (Although that last 10k is pretty much the same emotion the whole time)

Isn’t part of the battle with the hard emotions being prepared for them and doing the things that help YOU to get past them.  I think that part of the reason I love doing my long runs with friends is that I can tell them exactly how I’m feeling/thinking at that moment and they can cheer me on and help me out…  I think a big part of succeeding in a race/running is learning how to be our own biggest cheerleader too as we ride each wave that comes along during the race.

Some of the things that give me an extra BOOST during those extra hard waves:

*Seeing my people along the course or focusing in on the signs, cute kiddos out there cheering and people clapping us all on to keep going.

*Water, gatorade, calories.

*That goto mantra that fits perfectly in with your life at the time.

*Talking to any of the runners/racers around me for a minute or too…. even if it is just a few words.

*Thinking about my family (there have been many miles in races in the past where I repeated Brooke’s name).

*Practicing enduring well.

*Turning on my favorite song, zoning out, remembering that it is supposed to hurt along the way or counting my steps.

*Preparing for the next wave that is coming my way or staying in the mile that I am in and not thinking of anything else.

I kind of think that all of those waves is what hooks us to the marathon too.  We might have had one marathon (for me it was the St. George Marathon two years ago) where it felt like everything aligned—>  I stayed positive through the race, no injuries/pain at all, perfect weather, perfect course, a faster time than I predicted and the way I fueled/hydrated worked out perfectly for me even though those same waves/emotions that are beyond hard came along.  The marathons between then and now have not been anywhere close to that great for me but don’t we all keep chasing these races until we feel that way again?

I can think of different marathons where I felt awesome at mile 14 and 17 but in between those miles I questioned how in the world I was going to finish.  There are times where .1 mile feels like eternity yet 5 miles flies by at a different time.  I’ve had races where I started feeling like a million bucks and others were I started feeling awful and ended feeling WAY better.  You never really know what you are going to get but as long as you are enjoying the training cycle to get you to that race, then it’s all good right?!

So, if you’ve figured out how to ride the different waves of emotions during a marathon please share… we will all love you forever;)

Brooke was SO tiny back then:)  And we went to Disneyland afterwards… Andrew, I think we should do that this year too;)

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PS while talking about marathons—> I loved this from Dorothy because this literally just happened (but after an 18 miler, not a 22 miler) and it made me laugh at myself for being ridiculous.

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Three HIGHLIGHTS from your weekend?

What are the most common emotions for you during a race?

How do you cope with the hard waves that come along during a race?

What do you eat during a race?  

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64 comments

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It’s interesting about the Hyperion. To me they feel so similar to the Brooks Pure Flow. It’s almost like a softer version of the Pureflow. I don’t know, I was sad they dropped the Pure Connect.

It sounds like you had a great weekend. I went hiking, which was a lot of fun for me.

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Three highlights, family, family and family? In no specific order

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Hahaha the wall was the same color as the sun! This weekend I went condo shopping so I might have painting and decorating in my near future too! Most of the places we looked at were empty, but the couple that had furniture in them either inspired me or made me go “really? this is what they LIKE?” haha

I feel like I only have two emotions during a race. The first half of it I think “whooo this is great!” and the second half I think “oh no, please don’t let me die out here. This isn’t the way I want to go!” :D

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I definitely have a variety of emotions during a race, including pain and joy. There’s also that whole “why am I doing this??” question. But, you simply have to remind yourself you run because you love it, and the race is one more opportunity for you to do what you love.

My weekend was not the best. Though I got froyo and pool time, my car broke down yesterday, and I’m hoping it gets fixed today. Car troubles are no bueno :/

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I went sailing this weekend. Slept on a boat for the first time (other than being on a cruise). Spent lots of time with my boyfriend’s kids. We had so much fun.
I didn’t run at all this weekend which was weird but I survived.
And getting to see my dog after 2 days….priceless.

I usually cry at least once during a marathon. Mostly I get frustrated when I feel like I’ve lost my mojo.

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SAILING!?!? Okay, that is so awesome! Such a fun weekend:) I bet that reunion with your pup was a sweet one! Oh I definitely cry during a marathon too.. you are not alone:)

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highlights from this weekend included some much needed girl and wine time, teaching my first ever SPIN CLASS!, and leading 45+ ladies in a circuit based workout. it was amazing getting up in front of people and using my knowledge to push them. Can’t wait for more opportunities like this.

my emotions during the race are usually pretty steady. I’m always excited when I start and feel particularly joyful if I’m hitting my paces, but by the end I’m really tested and just want it over. once I cross that finish line though, there is no greater rush of accomplishment and pride.

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That image from Dorothy…SO accurate haha!! I do that all the time..get down on myself for a bad run and my husband will be like “umm..I haven’t even moved off this couch the entire time you’ve been out running. I think you’re good”.

Highlights from the weekend = seeing my best friend who was visiting from Indiana, having a great long run, and meal planning for the week!

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This weekend I made peach crisp, spent time with my family, and drove 10 hours to Michigan for my hubby’s last week of class and graduation.

When I’m getting tired or scared about an upcoming goal/race, I think about how I’m going to feel when I’m finishing. It’s always an overwhelming emotion and keeps me pushing hard to finish strong.

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I usually feel competitive, happy, a bit nervous, and finally proud during a race. I try to keep any emotion like stress from coming up, but when negative emotions come up I recognize them and then move on rather than ignore them.

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You’re so adorable!!! I want your floral dress and after my fourth is born in taking up running. Will need some advice when the time comes it could be scary!!!!!

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Your FOURTH… that is AWESOME AMY!! Seriously, way to go and I’m here for the advice. The dress is from http://roolee.com

Enjoy the rest of your day!

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I love the color of your wall! I’ve been wanting to paint my room that color for a long time! Highlights from my week/weekend would be hearing my baby’s heartbeat, catching up with a friend haven’t seen in a while, and eating an almond croissant from a french bakery! haha

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Highlight of the weekend was a wonderful afternoon nap after church (does that make me sound really lame?). I try to focus on being thankful for the ability to run when I am racing and thankful to have been given this day to do the thing that I love to do. I’ve definitely ridden the roller coaster of emotions though. I’ll never forget telling my husband at my first marathon at mile 25 that I was done. I was ready to just sit down in the middle of the road and take a rest. I got angry when he suggested that I was only 1 mile away and that I should keep running. Lol! I listened to him though :) I drink UCAN before my marathons (the one with protein) and then take a GU (salted caramel) around mile 15 or so.

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I am running my first marathon on Sunday so I love reading these comments. I have no idea what I will feel like but right now, I am a bundle of nerves. Weekend was spent house hunting as we sold our current home and now need to find a new place lest my husband, 8yo daughter and I are homeless. At least that will distract me over the 26.2 miles.

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Ohmygosh good luck!! There’s nothing like running your first marathon! Take it all in and enjoy it!! Let us know it goes too and good luck house hunting!

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GOOD LUCK ROSIE!!! You’ve got this and please let me know how it goes. And good luck on the house hunting… that must be so time/brain consuming for you guys right now!

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Our weekend highlight was our 8 Hours in a Dream race and it was great! I posted this morning about the race and what we ate the whole time, prior, and after the race.

It looks like your house is coming right along! Glad to see you are so happy!

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I am on vacation this week so I have been taking it easy and not doing much! I did check out the Nordstrom sale and went out to lunch on Saturday. I have not raced since I was in high school but I am in the midst of training for a mid-September triathlon right now. Very nervous about all of the feelings that will come up as I get closer to the race.

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Donuts instead of decorating your car is amazing! My cousins TRASHED my car . I wish I would have gotten donuts instead.

We did a lot of family things this weekend and that was a lot of fun.

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Weekend highlights included tackling 11 hilly miles in ALL THE HEAT and then spending the rest of the weekend at the lake and on my SUP and with the boyfriend and best friend and family…so basically my idea of Heaven. I’m a Nike Zoom Fly girl but those shoes look pretty sweet!

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Oh man, that Saved by the Bell meme brought back a rush of memories. That episode was fantastic. Now I’m replaying her singing over and over in my head hahaha. So happy you’re reunited with Brookie!

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HAHAHA right…. that show is a classic. I feel like I grew up with it:) Now I am hearing her sing it too!

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Oh man I have said that very thing to my husband/family before and they respond in the same way…”you just ran x miles”. It’s amazing has runners how in tune we are with our bodies and even if my endurance is on point, I can still feel out of shape.

Love the new wall color and those shoes!! Love them!

Riding the wave – you know I tried this tactic once for a 5K and had an incredible PR. I knew it was going to hurt….a lot….and I embraced that. The day before the race I mentally talked to myself and said “its going to hurt but your going to sink into that pain and still run” and i guess it worked. All I know is that for me if I picture this perfect idealic race and time, it never happens and I cross the finish line disappointed even though I just did something incredible. So embracing it is my new racing strategy now ?

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I LOVE THAT… seriously, I want to try this out big time. Embracing the hurt/pain leading up to the race and preparing for it is going to be my new strategy too! CONGRATS on your huge 5k PR. Amazing.

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I’m a lurker and don’t usually comment, but I sincerely enjoy reading your blog, Janae. We didn’t know each other well in high school, but your accomplishments through the things life has tossed at you really are inspiring. Thank you!

Your description of the emotions you go through in a marathon sounded familiar even though I haven’t run one personally. Having just been through natural childbirth, though, it may be one thing that spans the board emotionally in a similar way. :)

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It’s funny because I was thinking natural childbirth too! I have done both and I totally agree! Lots of crazy emotions involved in both and with natural childbirth as with marathon running, the pain seems to get worse and worse and then you think you can’t take it anymore and then the finish line (or the baby!) arrives and you feel so alive and full of adrenaline and energy again! ;-) Childbirth for me lasted for 16 hours so a marathon seems a lot shorter now than it used to be ;-)

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CHRISTINA!?!?! IT IS SO SO GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU… I need some updates from you!!! Oh I can’t even imagine natural childbirth… but the waves must be there for sure! You are amazing for doing that!!

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My biggest opposition to negative thoughts or emotions is to ride them out and not act on them. Those negative thoughts usually lead to slowing down too much, walking or just giving up. However, I know that after the run or race I’ll regret those decisions and ask myself if I could have done more. I want the answer to that question to be no. I hate the feeling of waiting until my next run (usually a long run, so about a week) to redeem myself. I’m in the same space right now though, trying to keep the mental and emotional side of training in mind as well as the physical.

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Oh I really like that Jeph. You are so right about not wanting to have to regret slowing/stopping until the next long run to redeem it. Love it. Thank you for sharing!

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Although I don’t run anymore, I love your blog because what you say about marathon training applies to so many other hard things we have to do or go through in life!

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I love the combination of green and purple on those Brooks shoes.

That’s too cute that they left you guys donuts in your car.

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Eating during a race is something I’m going to focus on when I start BQ training in January. For my (first) marathon last time, I was barely able to get down some gummies, and they made me feel really sick. No surprise that I got a horrible calf cramp at mile 20-something which made me miss a BQ (by 10ish min). When I was training for the ultra I actually started making my own energy balls with chocolate (plus cacao nibs which are really good for you), chili flakes, coconut, dates, etc., and they worked great.
Three highlights from the weekend! The chocolate chip banana bread I made at 9pm last night, taking my toddler to the aquarium (and having her try to steal a ladies sun hat) and obviously my awesome shirt that I wore during my 20-week run! Plus, the lady who took my picture said I looked beautiful, which, even though I really looked gross and sweaty, was nice to hear, since all pregnancy comments trend towards how GIANT my belly is. :-/ If you know a pregnant person, tell them they look nice! Without mentioning all of the body changes!!

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Love the thoughts about riding the waves! I can’t wait to do it during my first marathon in October – that meme is basically my life in a nutshell. Best part of my weekend? MY LONGEST RUN EVER! I ran 14 miles yesterday, and I know I’m running smart because my legs feel awesome today.

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SAM—> HUGE CONGRATS on your longest run ever. That is AWESOME, and your legs feel great… way to go and you will rock your October marathon:) Keep me updated!

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Can you share the name of the color of that wall??? I am struggling to find a gray that doesn’t look blue or purple or tan or is too dark!! Thank you!

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Seriously it is such a hard task to pick out the perfect color. One thing we do is we put a red sample of paint next to whatever gray we are looking at and that brings out the blue/purples/tans etc more!! We fell in love with White Metal and that is what we are using (from Home Depot BEHR) Let me know if you have any other questions!

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I don’t eat anything during a half, but a full a prefer chews. Love the grey!

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Weekend highlights: my first baby shower, moving into our new place, and a movie date.

Getting through races, I think about all the trianing I’ve done, I try to focus on one mile at a time, and envision crossing the finish line.

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I like hammer gels during races but also keep jelly beans in my pocket too just in case I need a change. 3 weekend highlights – a good long run, terrific pancakes and my son went to sleepaway camp. I’m lost without my little pal but thrilled for him to have a good time.

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Thank you so much for this post! Really hit home today! I am running the San Francisco Marathon on 7/31 and have been a nervous wreck for a few weeks. This is my third one and trained differently than previous ones, but in a smarter way. I really need to get mentally happy and all will be good. This post helped so much to realize I’m not the only one that a mess before a big race :) I’ll send my race update sometime next week. Happy Running!

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AHHH I have wanted to do the SF Marathon… I can’t wait for the update and YOU’VE GOT THIS!! I am so so excited for you. You are NOT alone… I’m a wreck leading up to a big race ha! Mentally happy—> awesome idea and it will help you out so much!

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I got to watch my mom drive a race car (she’s 72 and it was a bucket list item for her!) I got a mommy/daughter date, which isn’t always the easiest since we have 3. I got to run 13 with the hubsz

I’m always so emotional during races, it’s anything from quiet calm strength and confidence, to overwhelming gratefulness, to questioning why I do this.

I’ve only ever done a banana before a race and gu during.

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I think I might be tempted to just marry the person who covered my car in donuts. I mean. Seriously.

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During hard parts of a race, I always have a mantra handy! Two of my favourites lately have been “Quiet Confidence” and “My Best”.

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It has been so long since I have commented but I have been reading all this time. Congrats on the wedding and I am loving the new paint in the house. It feels so cool to walk in and know you did that!
This weekend I directed my kids church musical and then we went to the water park both days and had so much fun racing down the slides. Love that my kids are old enough now to do things like that. During races, I usually start out nervous and anxious, followed by excitement and then mid race it goes to pride and then it goes down to tired, exhausted and questioning why I do this and then end with a sense of accomplishment and pride. A roller coaster for sure. I usually fuel with peanut butter on a plain bagel before a race and coffee.

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HELLO TABAITHA:) SO so good to hear from you! We’ve been internet friends for like 5 years now! Oh… what a blast at the musical and water park! Sounds like the perfect weekend! Thank you so much and you are so right about the new paint! Hope you have a fabulous day!

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1) Friday my friends and I went to this awesome fancy floating restaurant! It sits out in the middle of the river
2) i got a good spin workout in and we ran a mile to finish it off
3) ate a salad for the first time in over a month ;) and it was good!

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FLOATING restaurant?! That sounds amazing… so so glad you got to do that! Killer workout today!

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Hahaha LOVE the last point you made there…I was supposed to do my 12-miler on Saturday, but it was HOT outside, so I ended up only doing 10. I was kind of bummed about the whole thing, but now I see how ridiculous it is to think that! Keeping a positive attitude about running 14 miles this weekend!

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You’ve got it Sarah… you will rock your 14 miles this weekend:) PS heat kills me so the fact you ran 10 miles in the heat = pure amazingness. WAY TO GO!

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I only ran 1 marathon last year and hopefully my second one this year, so I really cannot speak too much about riding the waves but I sure did have a LOT of emotions going through my mind last year. At first, I was excited. Then I got scared. Then I felt like it was going to go on eternally and I would never finish. Then I got excited again. It was like a roller coaster of emotions (positive and negative). I wanted to be as conservative as much I could because I was so scared of hitting that “wall” and I didn’t want to end up on the side of the road and not be able to move forward. I took it nice and easy, slow, walked a little so I didn’t feel burned out…. perhaps that was a good way to approach my very first marathon but I vowed this would be my first and last marathon! One month later, I was signing up for the next marathon for the next year. ha!
I am still fighting the whole discouragement of long runs- I cannot imagine running 15+ miles on the weekends…

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Congrats on your first marathon!! That first one is all about completion and you did it and rocked it!!! HAHAH I do the same thing, I tell myself never ever again and then I end up signing up for another real fast:)

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Weekend highlighted- decluttering and purging the playroom! It felt wonderful to carry all those bags of toys out!

Random question- This really doesn’t have anything to do with your post but your church comment just made me curious- Did one of you switch churches? I assume you went to different churches before since you didn’t know him until a few months ago, but then again, maybe you go to a huge church and you just haven’t met before. I know how important church families are and was just curious what you all have done!

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Hey Stephanie!! Great question! So we are both Mormons and in our church we go to church according to the area we live… So now that I am moving in to his house I will go to his church (we call them wards, so now I go to his ward:) Let me know if you have any other questions!!!

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I am so glad you talk about the hard parts of training/races. Reading your blog got me through a significant portion of (my first) marathon training last year. It helps so much to read about all of the mental challenges – training for #2 so far has been harder than the first for me (injury, other commitments). Knowing that the mental stuff is normal for all levels of running really helps put things in perspective for us newbies. Oh, and those donuts – best idea ever!

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I got to make a beautiful birthday cake for a 3 old. I got to meet Princess Anna from Frozen at the birthday party. And I got to meet with a potential new employer. I am hoping and praying really hard I get this new job! It sounds absolutely fantastic and has so much potential!
Most of the time during my races I am positive that I am going to just pass out and die. (There is no way I am going to make it up this hill) As soon as the race is over I am always ready for another one.
When I do hit those hard points I count my steps… not that it completely helps, but it takes my mind off the pain and the distance I still have to go. It sort of becomes a rhythm thing.
I usually eat those gatorade gummies during long runs or races.

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Friend. Please tell me about that dress. I think I need it.

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HEY!!! I got it here… it is currently sold out but they restock a ton!

http://www.roolee.com/dresses/

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I’ve never heard of this site, and now, I want it all. Beautiful. classy. Classics. LOVE! Thanks!

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I love that wall color!!

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EVERY single time I wake up on race morning is.. “Why the hell did I sign up for this? This is stupid…I’m never doing this again”
And then after the race, it’s .. “Hey, what race should we sign up for next?”

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Thanks so much for this post. It is very helpful to me as I prepare for my very first marathon (St. George)!!

Highlights from the weekend include finishing 12 miles in the heat, seeing friends and eating fro yo!

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Will you be using your Hyperions for marathon racing? Trying to find a good marathon racing shoe and certainly open to suggestions.

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