Hi everyone! This is Jennifer, and there are many things I do multiple times a day. I brush my teeth, brush my kids teeth, pick up toys, change the laundry, change diapers, wish I was on some tropical island...And now I can add running to that list! And I found out that I love it. If I could, I would run twice a day, every day. But since that just doesn't fit in the schedule, it will have to wait for Saturdays, and for race day!
I'm really glad that I made the time to run twice on Saturday because I figured out a lot of things. I get a lot of energy after that second run. A lot. The sort of energy where I'm scrubbing walls and cleaning toilets because I feel so great! Runner's high for sure, because in my right mind those are the things I like the least. I learned that I'm in better shape than I give myself credit for. That my body hurts a whole lot less than when I do the 80 minute runs. In fact, I'm not sore at all today. And the thing that I'm so glad I didn't have to wait for race day to learn...HEARTBURN! Oh boy, I had some major heartburn last night. It started at about the last mile of my run and lasted until this morning. I'm so glad I know that's a side effect of 8 miles cut in half, or eating in between runs, or whatever it is that causes it for me. But next Saturday when I run twice, you can bet I'm making sure to have Tums, or Prevacid, or whatever so I don't have to learn that lesson again.
The point of all this, everyone should do the two-a-day runs! I'm positive that you'll learn a lot about your running self, like I did. I'm so glad I didn't put it off. For me it turned out to be something I really enjoy, something that boosted my confidence in being able to do this crazy race, and what I need to plan for.
Bring on three!

Its time to start your 2 a days!!!

Morning Run 

 Afternoon Run

I know this has nothing to do with running but, I truly think my baby got bigger between my morning and afternoon runs today (just look at the pictures weird!!!)

Okay we are only weeks away from the Ragnar and it is time to start 2 a day training!  The reason we should each be doing this is because our bodies need to get used to the stress and conditioning.  

It was really good for me today to feel what my body needed to recover from my morning run so I was ready for the run that afternoon.  I also was able to feel what was hurting and what things I would need to help my body heal in between legs. (i.e. aches and pains, would you need knee brace, Excedrin, mole skin, are your shoes comfortable) 

This is just good practice!  I know many of you are running 10 miles (which might be the length of two of your Ragnar Legs combined)  May I suggest breaking those up.  Its weird how the body reacts just test out and see what you will need to recover in between legs.  I really feel like this will help each of us be more prepared for the Wasatch Back!!!

Come on ladies if I can do this anyone can!!! (oh p.s. I'm so so glad we don't have to push strollers in the Ragnar, I figure I'm just getting resistants training right now right? Seriously my hand went numb from pushing the stroller.  I need to invest in a jogging stroller!)

Love you all and can't wait to hear about all the different 2 a day training each of you guys are doing!!

Surprise!

I laughed when I read Karli's email a few weeks ago saying she was heading down to AZ for Pat's Run. I was going too! Neither of us knew each other's plans until just a few days before the race. So we searched each other out at Sun Devil Stadium and documented the fun coincidence. (Yes, that picture was taken after the race. Isn't Karli a babe?. . . even after running 4.2 miles. . . pregnant)

Salt Lake Marathon

I finished the Salt Lake Marathon yesterday!!

I am so happy I don't have this marathon looming in the distance any more; it's over. I can just say I am never going to train for a marathon in 10 weeks again; your body definitely needs a lot more time to train! That is why I think I was having knee problems. But the good thing was, that I didn't have any trouble with my knee during the marathon. I think since I have kept up with my exercises the dr proscribed, my knee is almost recovered.

My thoughts on the marathon:

--The weather was perfect. It was overcast until about mile 22 and it even started sprinkling around mile 18. The sun came out around mile 23. The temperature was great--cool at the beginning, then it gradually got warmer.

--The starting line had only one toilet that I could find. I got to the starting line 30 mins before the start and went straight to the toilet line; there were 35 people in front of me. The line wasn't moving at all so I had to run up to Primary Children's Hospital to use the bathroom. I didn't get back to the starting line until 10 mins before the start so I hardly had time to stretch properly. That really ticked me off because my legs were tight most of the run, and cramped up at mile 16 so those last 10 miles were horrible. I was expecting there to be lines of toilets like at the Chicago marathon, but this marathon paled in comparison to the organization of that marathon.

--I did not like the course at all. The first two miles were good because of the thrill of the start, the next 22 miles were boring, then the last two miles were cool because it went through downtown Salt Lake. The worst stretch was the Van Winkle Expressway (miles 14-18). There were no spectators and it was like running on a freeway with nothing to look at but the pavement. I am thankful to a few of the neighbors we ran by that provided oranges and bananas to the runners. I forgot to get my Powerbar from Jacob at mile 17 so I was starving; the fruit did wonders. I should have brought some Gu or some kind of power shot; I just hadn't used them in my training and didn't want to try them during the marathon. The next marathon I run will be somewhere cool like New York, London, or Paris--I definitely like bigger city marathons.

-- I was pleased with my half marathon time, but my pace slowed by 1 min 15 seconds per mile the whole second half. I need to find a way to not get leg cramps after 15 miles, though there were several things that weren't in my favor--my lack of stretching at the start, and the fact that I was sick. Thomas gave me his cough and congestion that he has had all week. We actually took him to the dr after the marathon and he has walking pneumonia--I don't think I am that sick.

Hope you all are having some fun runs!! Now I can go on some runs with you guys!

Half way through the marathon.

Best part of the race was running in to the finish line at The Gateway.

FINISHED!!!

My fans, Thomas and Reed.

Sponsor Team Sparkle!

SLC half marathon- for sale

Hey guys,

I have a friend who is selling her registration to the SLC half marathon on April 16th. She will be out of town. She is selling it for her pre-registration price of $40. If any of you are interested- reply to this and I'll pass on her information to you.

Miriam

dancinqn@juno.com

Saturday Runs

Hey guys! A few of us discussed joining each other for Saturday runs. Whoever is interested can send me the details of a run they're planning (date, time, distance, rough elevation changes, your estimated pace) and I'll compile it into a schedule that makes sense for our training. So in other words, if you're running a race and you'd like teammates to join you, send me the info. Or if you have a run you've planned for a particular Saturday (or one you like where you could be flexible on the day), just let me know about it. I'll email everyone a schedule, and then we'll just be responsible to RSVP on any weeks we plan to attend so that the run's "host" knows to look for us. And if no one RSVPs, the host has no obligation.

So this would be 100% optional for hosting or attending. I live in Herriman, so I would only be able to come occasionally, but still I would love the chance to run together and get to know everyone.

Liz
brandonandliz@gmail.com

Rex Lee Run

Hey Ragnar Team,

Just wanted to give you guys a heads up on the race I ran today. I ran the Rex Lee Run in Provo for the first time. Having grown up here, I have heard about this run a lot, but just haven't had the chance to run it until today. The race benefits cancer research!

I ran the 10k, and the course was fabulous because it is in my neighborhood so I have run these roads often. It started at Brick Oven, went North to 2230 N, then east to the Provo temple, south down 900 East, then west down Center St to 200 E, then North again to the finish at the BYU outdoor track. It was just one big rectangle. There was a nice uphill climb along 2230 N to the Provo Temple, then my favorite part was the downhill of 900 East.

My target time was to be under 50 minutes; happily, I finished at exactly 47 minutes, a 7:35 mile pace. This was my first race in about a year; I have a hard time committing to races because I get really nervous right before them, but I am trying to get over the nervousness and just sign up for them. If I start a race thinking, "I don't have to come in top 20, just make it to the end and have fun", then I am a lot less nervous about it. I guess the nervousness comes from running cross country in high school and feeling like I had to make a certain time or ranking, but I am getting over that, and am more interested in just having a fun time running.

Well, I hope you ladies are enjoying your runs, and I encourage you to look up some races and enter them. My goal is to run at least one race per month before Ragnar.

Happy Running!

Brenda Hickman

Me at the finish line (after I already crossed it! :-) )

My Fans -- Reed and Thomas (and Thomas sits under there by choice!! I guess it is comfortable.)

Cancer Color Chart

Here is a chart that depicts the different Colors of Cancer.  Each of us have chosen to represent a different Cancer.  The color that honors that particular cancer will be your color for the race.  For example Amy is running for Breast Cancer so her color is Pink.  Check out the chart and get excited about representing such a great cause

New Members and Training!!!

Wow!  The Wasatch Back is only a few months away!  The count down has officially began!!  I hope you all have started your Training Schedules!  Please go to the Ragnar Relay website and check out their training schedules!  They are FANTASTIC and they can be customized to your particular needs (beginner or advance runner.)

Some really fun and exciting things have been happening with our little Team!  Please check back soon for details!  

We have lost a couple members of our original team but, some new runners have joined our ranks and I am so EXCITED to have them running with us!!  Amy, Brenda, Necole, and Jenni!  Ladies WELCOME WELCOME to Team Sparkle!  Amy has chosen to represent Breast Cancer and Brenda is representing Bladder Cancer!  I will be contacting Necole and Jenni soon to get your choices soon!

Thank you for all you do Team Sparkle!  This year we are going to truly shine at the Wasatch Back!

Lots of Love, 

Karli