Getting Ready for St. George 2011

I have been training for seven months to complete a race I've run three times now.  The difference is, this will be the first time I am running for time, and not just to finish.  I want to qualify for the Holy Grail of all marathons:  The Boston. 

Unfortunately, this year the Boston is lowering their qualifying cut-off by five minutes, which means I have only 12 seconds at each aid station if I am going to maintain my 8-minute-mile pace.  I have only 3:35:00 to run 26.2 miles.  For a short person like me with a tiny stride, there is no room for error. 

Today, I did a practice marathon and chose Highlands Ranch as the location.  The steep hills hammered me, but I am pretty sure St. George will not be nearly as strenuous.  I was 2-miles from the finish when I hit the Boston cut-off.  Not  bad, but since I was running 10-minute miles at that point, I was 20 minutes short of my target time. 

I'm not giving up, though.  I want this so bad I can taste it.  Here is a little video that I enjoyed watching to help me get geared up.  If you'd like to know what to expect on race day, please watch. 

Enjoy. 

Fathers and Sons Campout

Ben freaked people out with his plastic lizard that he intentionally left on the hood of the truck.

Talk about king of all sticks!  In fact, it's more than a stick; it's an ax.  Ben was knocking entire branches off of trees.

Showing off the spoils of the bishop's candy hunt.

This chipmunk knew there was something good inside.

A man in"the zone."

Canning (For Staci)

Gardens are just for looks, right?  James recently reminded me there is food out there in our back yard and that we need to do something with it. Ugh.  On my list of priorities, I have canning right under "paint the eaves."  Oh well. Last week I thrust in my sickle and was a wise steward.  Now if you'll excuse me, I have a seminary lesson to prepare...

First Day of School

Back to the grind!

Tessa's Baptism

Tessa's big day was full of family and good food.  Admittedly, the Guthrie side was noticeably absent (with the exception of terrific Aunt Molly), but thanks to a piano teacher, primary teacher and stellar home teacher, we were feeling the love of our ward family. A special thanks goes to the Thornbrues and the extended family who made the long drive from Utah.  We had a great weekend. 

Guthrie or Thornbrue Family Reunion Idea

My girlfriend just got back from the best family reunion experience she has ever had.  Her parents reserved an 8-bedroom lodge at the YMCA of the Rockies.  She said it was so great because the parents of young children could put their kids to bed and then the adults could stay up late to roast marshmallows and play cards.  Each room was like a hotel room with two queen beds plus a futon.  Every family was in charge of cooking and cleaning up one meal.

There are two locations in our area: Snow Mountain and Estes Park.  I found a six-bedroom lodge that sleeps up to 22 (there are 21 in the Guthrie family if no one else gets married or has another baby) for $500/night during off season (end of September through end of May).  There are three bathrooms, two ovens, two microwaves and two refrigerators.  The cost of lodging includes all linen and many free activities such as indoor swimming, mini golf, ice skating (in winter) and a game room with pool, ping pong, etc.  There are also other activities with a minimal fee such as archery for $3/person.  We could do it in the spring (April to celebrate April birthdays), or for a major holiday such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. 

Reservations should be made 18 months-2 years in advance.  I think it would be fun to plan something for when Seth gets home from his mission. There are also 7-bedroom cabins available for $600/night or 8-bedrooms for $900.  Here is their website:

http://www.ymcarockies.org/EPC_Lodging.htm

Thoughts, anyone?

Ragnar 2011- Part 3

Garrett getting ready for his second leg. He wore his BYU-Idaho track uniform (and wool socks).

Stretching. We had to wear a vest, head lamp, and tail lamp from 7 p.m.-7:00 a.m.

Maegan's strong finish at the end of her second leg. She was wore bells on her shoes.

This was a high school gym filled with sweaty bodies. The only light came from the exit sign. We slept (or at least attempted to sleep) for a couple of hours. At 1:37 a.m., we got the call from our second van that we needed to get ready to the exchange 20 miles away. Sometimes teams lost track of their members. Bryan Hanks remembers shining his cell phone on sleeping faces hoping to identify missing team members.

Michael getting ready for his final, and most difficult leg. He had over 7 miles of up-hill running that began at 4:00 a.m. This was to be a "no support" run.

Maegan was our team cheerleader. She brought her son's bike horn that had a very distinct sound that could be heard over music and rushing cars. Whenever you heard the horn, you knew your van was coming with water and supplies.

People crashed any and everywhere.

Garrett coming in from his final leg. He was the quickest member in our van.

Ripping off the slap bracelet.

Michael stepping over bodies. Who chooses to sleep on the sidewalk?!

Breakfast the next morning.

Hickory-dickory-dock, the Big Bad Wolf, Chick head, Mary Had a Little Lamb, a Centaur, and a Fine Lady with rings on her fingers and bells on her toes.

Bat Man

Yes, they wore this while running. Including the shield.

Hammer Time!

Idaho Potatoes

Little Boy Blue and Wee Little Winky

Bryan's sister was the Princess and the Pea.

We all ran the last 100 yards together. Posing with our medals. (It was very hard to bend over with weak, shaky legs.)

We are awesome. Hear us roar!

Ragnar 2011- Part 2

Decorating the van the night before.  We were the "Story Bookers."  Everyone dressed up like a character from a book or nursery rhyme. 

Michael was the Big Bad Wolf.  As you can see from his drawing, he was very fierce.  Or at least possessed.

 Allie was very disappointed James had driven away with the kids before he could draw for the team.  I think this was a mouse from Cinderella (also possessed), Jack-be-nimble's candlestick, and a random frog.

 Humpty Dumpty

This sword taped to the wiper was our mascot.  It glowed in the dark.  We were hoping to turn on the wipers so you could see the sword slashing the air through the darkness.

 Slumber party at Kristen and Alex's house the night before.  I don't think anyone was able to sleep.

 Getting geared up for the start.  As you can see from John's face, it was very cold.

Allie was runner one.  We began at 6:15 a.m. and finished shortly after noon the next day.  You can see the slap bracelet on my left wrist.  There wasn't a baton.  The slap bracelet was very convenient.  Some wore it on their arms, or even ankle.

Tessa offered me her gloves just prior to leaving.  The Holy Ghost whispers to children.  She saved me.  But the rest of my body was hot.  At my very first water-stop, I begged Maegan to rip my pants off (I had layered well).

I finished my first leg much faster than anticipated.  In fact, the next runner was in line for the outhouse when he heard the announcement that team #198 was a half-mile away from the exchange.  He had to wait.