Category Archives: running

a year in review…and me in a tutu

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Posing, post race.
All together, pre-race.

Happy to be done!

Today was the annual Nutcracker 5k at the UVSC. Admittedly, this morning’s race was not my favorite in terms of my performance or weather conditions. However, I still had a lot of fun. Bre and Richard joined me and are actually the creators of our festive tutus. We looked amazing (as you can see from the photos).

This was my very first race one year ago and marks a culmination of quite the year of races. I ran six 5k’s, a 10k, a half-marathon and a full marathon this year; nine races in one year. I hope to raise that in the year to come.

In honor of my first “second” race, I would like to share a few thoughts on running. Not training thoughts or advice thoughts, just random thoughts. This past year, during my many, many, many training runs, I have had the opportunity to think a lot. This is probably my most favorite part of running. There’s something about pounding the pavement that brings so much clarity.

Running has great psychological rewards. It helped me to get out of the funk I had been in for quite some time. It helped me to work out some things that had been bothering me. It helped stave on my seasonal depression. And it has brought me into a whole new circle of friends, both friends in real life and my BRFs (blogging running friends). I also love the camaraderie of runners. I don’t know a nicer group of athletes than runners. There’s also this amazing sense of accomplishment that comes from running. It isn’t about beating someone else’s time or distance. It’s just about me and my improvements and new distances.

Running has taught me to really appreciate my body and what it can do. While I still don’t love the packaging, I have discovered many other things I do like about it. My body has become my friend. Yes, sometimes we have to have little discussions about how I need to push it harder than it wants to go, but those are few and far between and for the most part, it lets me have my way. I love how strong my legs are and their willingness to carry me miles and miles and miles. And I love the awareness of every muscle in my body the day after a long training run.

And lastly, I have been able to see amazing places. My runs up the canyon this summer gave me the opportunity to appreciate just how beautiful Utah really is (even though I do want to leave here eventually). My training has forced me to run in various parts of the country (including my lovely tour of D.C. and the monuments in August). As I plan my year of races, I am looking forward to all of the new places I will see. So far, I have a race in beautiful Moab and one during the gorgeous cherry blossom season in D.C. And I hope to run a few wherever it is I end up going to school.

I can’t wait to see what this year brings. Hopefully many more miles and some new PRs. The best thing about “first races” is that they are all PRs.

Now, I just want to leave you with a list of my friends (both IRL and BRF) who have inspired my running over the past year:

Dianne, my friend from work who got me to sign up for that first 5k a year ago and with whom I have enjoyed several early morning Saturday runs.

Anne, my marathon buddy. Often times, knowing that we were both training for the St. George Marathon was the inspiration I needed to keep me going. She also introduced me to many wonderful running products that I cannot live without.

Maren, who, just nine months after having her first baby, is running a marathon today.

Christy, a blogging friend with whom I ran my first (and only) 10k. She is the only thing that kept me from backing out. I had run much farther than 6 miles at that point in my training, but I was still scared to do it as part of a race.

Katie, who I have known her for over seven years now. She never ceases to both amaze and inspire me.

Julia, who I met through Maren (and blogging), often commented on my running posts, leaving words of encouragement and advice. It has been fun to read about her runs and triathlons and be inspired by all that she has done.

Jen, who I have yet to meet, but has been so encouraging. The first time I visited her running blog, I remember thinking that it was just the inspiration I needed. And then she continued to inspire me through both her blogging and the wonderful cards and packages she sent me. She has now run two marathons in one month! Amazing!

Holly, who has set this amazing goal to run races in all fifty states. In the case that I end up in Texas, I hope that we will have the chance to run a race or two together, even if it is a bit of a drive from one city to the other.

Kristi, who secretly trained for a marathon for months and ran her first one this fall. I often felt like training required way too much time, but then I would think about her, with her girls, in the D.C. heat, and it made me feel like such a wuss (in an inspirational way).

Shelah, who leaves great comments a will be running her first marathon in a little less than a month!

Scott, who just ran a 50 miler. Yes, FIFTY MILES!

Kim, who emailed me randomly to see if I wanted to run a few training runs with her. She also completed her first marathon this year!

And finally, Zach, who would comment regularly on my blog and also trained for and ran St. George. It was fun to finally meet him at around mile 2…Anne and I heard someone yelling our names from behind, which shocked both of us just a little. It was Zach!

Christmas is not "clothing optional" this year – we have a guest.

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  1. I am grateful for new traditions…specifically the 5k Justin and I ran this morning. And I have to say, while I don’t love the way I look, it’s not bad for 6:30 am with no makeup.

  1. I am grateful for yummy, yummy Thanksgiving dinner.

  1. I am grateful for old traditions…specifically orange rolls.

  1. I am grateful that my brother also worked at Williams-Sonoma, meaning his kitchen is outfitted as well as (if not better than) my own.

  2. I am grateful that, even though I have not run since the marathon due to injury and illness, my body complied as I forced it to run 3.1 miles this morning…a little faster than I ever have before.

Forever on Thanksgiving Day, The heart will find the pathway home.

Wilbur D. Nesbit

Stand up, on this Thanksgiving Day, stand upon your feet. Believe in man. Soberly and with clear eyes, believe in your own time and place. There is not, and there never has been a better time, or a better place to live in.

Phillips Brooks

dear you…brought to you by the st. george marathon

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Dear Readers,

Thank you for being so supportive. Thank you for visiting my blog. Thank you for all of your comments, but most especially the ones leading up to this race. They were so fun to read from my phone (I love that I can check my email…even without some fancy phone) and so inspirational.

As you read the following letters and you start to think, “wow, she is really long winded and these aren’t as funny as usual” (yes, Justin, I know I write too much), I want you to think about the fact that you are sitting on your butt, at a computer, in the comfort of your home, or office. You are not exerting yourself while reading this. You aren’t risking exhaustion, muscle cramps, injury, or dehydration. So, while these letters may go on forever, I hope that you’ll humor me and read them. And when you are done, I hope that you’ll look at your watch, see that 40 minutes have passed and think, “Wow, Chloe ran for over eight times that long.”

In all seriousness, this was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. A lot of it had more to do with the road to get to the marathon than the actual marathon, but the marathon itself was definitely a huge part of it. Besides all of my wonderful blogging buddies (those I know and those I don’t), I have fantastic friends and family who have supported me along the way. Many thought I was crazy (and, truth be told, I am just a bit), but they still supported me. Thanks for all that you do for me. Thanks for sharing your wonderful stories, music, thoughts, experiences and love. The journey is so much sweeter because of you.

Sincerely,

Chloe

Dear Jennifer,

Thanks for being such an inspiration. And thanks for the rad quote from Lance Armstrong. We repeated it over and over and over again. “Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever.”

Love,

Chloe

Dear race organizers,

Well done. From picking up our packets to finishing the race, the whole experience was amazing. Although getting on the bus at 4:00 am was a bit painful, even that wasn’t so bad. And, once we got to the top and discovered just how cold it was, we were sure glad that we got up that early because those free gloves for the first 1,000 bus riders were totally worth it. I don’t know what I would have done without them.

Sincerely,

A first time marathoner

Dear firestarters (no, not Drew Barrymore),

Thank you. Seriously. I wasn’t really expecting to run while smelling like a campfire, but it was totally worth the smell for the warmth. Who knew that it would really be that cold. I didn’t. I mean, I had a sweatshirt, but it was cold. I mean COLD!!! But the 30+ fires definitely helped.

Thank you,

The girl who never thinks she’s going to be as cold as she is

Dear guy in the blue spandex who felt the need to tuck his shirt in while standing around the fire,

Seriously? How could your wife be standing right there and let you do that? I promise, I’m not a perv…but my eyes…well, it was like flies to poo. There was nothing I could do. It will be years before that image leaves me. Years! I may have to sue you for damages.

Sincerely,

A girl who may need to see a therapist for PTSD

Dear friendly running guys who talked to Anne and me by the fire,

It was so nice to meet you. It was fun to hear that you met through running, the same way Anne and I did. I hope that ten years from now, when Anne and I are running our umpteenth marathon, we will be able to share the same story with someone.

Sincerely,

The runner who loves her new little world…that’s not really so little

Dear St. George,

What can I say? You are gorgeous! Sometimes, I really don’t love living in Utah, and then I do something like this, and I remember just how great you are. Thanks for being so pretty.

Love,

The runner who was happy to have so many beautiful things to look at

Dear sign makers,

You are my new favorite people. Anyone out there who hasn’t run a race (well, a longer race) should know that it’s worth it just to read the signs. They are hilarious, and inspiring, and entertaining, and sometimes, obnoxious. Really, Heather Hays’ boyfriend, the first five signs were cute. The last 25…not so cute. In fact, I would say they were bordering on stalker-esque. Really, kind of weird. But the rest of you, fantastic!!!

Thanks,

A happily entertained runner

Dear volunteers,

You are great! Thanks for be willing to come out and provide us with everything we could possibly need, from water, to Gatorade, to Icy Hot and so on. Your kindness almost made it hard to drink and eat for all the emotion I was feeling…but I was really thirsty and those oranges were delicious, so somehow I managed it.

Sincerely,

A girl who decided this race that she should really volunteer to work at a few of these races

Dear crazy people who were standing in front of your homes in the freezing cold at the crack of dawn to cheer on complete strangers,

Words cannot express!

Love,

An ultra emotional marathoner

Dear guy in the short shorts and cutoff t-shirt,

Really? You realize that I passed you, right? Me. Chloe. The girl who finished in 5:36:52. You have no excuse, none, nada, zilch, for wearing such an outfit. Gross. Think of the children.

Sincerely,

A, once again, traumatized runner

Dear Zach,

It was nice to finally meet you. I’m glad you called out to us. Sorry we didn’t come meet you by your fire, but it was cold and we were already by a fire and you chose one that they didn’t light until much later. But, we still met, so that was fun.

Sincerely,

Your blogger runner friend

Dear right foot,

I knew that you were going to blister. You have always blistered, except for when I finally got you calloused over. I know my lack of running the last three weeks are what caused you to blister so badly, but I kind of think you enjoyed shoving it in my face. Did you have to start at mile five? You could have waited until mile 10 and you still would’ve been around for 16.2 miles. Really, I’ve never had such a blister. You were incredible. I’m sorry I had to drain you, but no shoe was going to fit on my foot with you sticking out there. Maybe you should think about that next time.

Sincerely,

The blister killer

Dear ankle,

Tendonitis? At mile 20? You couldn’t have waited until mile 25? Every step was painful. Every single one! Please go away.

Sincerely,

Your owner who would really like to continue running

Dear ibuprofen,

I probably wouldn’t have made it without you. As one who is not a huge fan of any kind of drug consumption…I was happy to have you on Saturday.

Sincerely,

The girl who almost didn’t have her wisdom teeth removed because she hates medication just that much

Dear sunblock,

I packed you. I thought about you. I pulled you out of my bag Saturday morning. And then, what happened? You just let me forget about you. How could you do that? It was 3:30 am. How the heck was I supposed to remember EVERYTHING? Throw a girl a bone. Thankfully, I did decide to go with a hat and it’s time for fall clothing, so you are semi-forgiven. But, still, where is the love?

With some hurt feelings,

The former esthetician who doesn’t ever leave home (not even in a blizzard) without sunscreen on her face

Dear SportShield,

You are my new BFF. I apologize to those of you who thought you were my BFFs. But, did you help me make it through 26.2 miles of running virtually unscathed by chaffing? What? Silence? That’s what I thought. Seriously, one spot, under the band of my sports bra, in the back, where I didn’t even think to apply you. You are the best, SportShield. I think I love you!

Love,

A girl with almost perfectly intact skin (minus that darn blister and the one itty-bitty spot on my back)

Dear iPod nano,

I’m so glad you decided to last through the entire race. I was a bit worried for a while. The little battery icon turned red when I still had miles to go. But you hung on and for that, I will be forever grateful. While the music is always important, I would have been truly heartbroken had I not been able to upload a run of 26.2 miles. It would not have changed the fact that I had run it, but it sure was fun to plug you into my computer and visit the Nike+ site and see a run of 26.2 miles. And the music was good, too.

Lots of love,

A lover of music and Nike+

Dear Anne’s family,

Thanks for being so great. Dinner was fantastic, as was the company. It was so nice to meet all of you and it was fun to feel so welcomed by you. I know you were there to support Anne, but I’m really glad she didn’t mind sharing you. It was so fun to see you at mile 16, and then at the finish line. And thanks for the flowers. You guys are great!

Love,

Chloe

Dear Anne,

I quite possibly might have finished without you, as I’m sure you would have without me, but…having said that, I’m so glad that I didn’t have to. It has been so fun to share this journey with you and read about your experiences and share with you mine. Thanks for all of the cool stuff and being so thoughtful. Thanks for being such a good running partner, even if most of it was through cyberspace. Thanks for driving down with me, even though you could’ve gone down with your family. Words really cannot express how lucky I feel to have found such a partner in pain and stupidity. Here’s to next year…and the many runs we will do between now and then.

Oh, and thanks for putting up with my occasional karaoke moments. What can I say? I just couldn’t help myself. And, I think we can both agree that I had to have made someone laugh.

Love,

Chloe

P.S. You can read Anne’s recap (a much better play-by-play of the experience) here.

And last but not least…

Dear body,

Ours is kind of love-hate type of relationship. You want to love me, but I just hate you. I have never been a huge fan. I’m sorry. It’s true. However, these last few months of training have taught me to really appreciate just how great you are. I have pushed, and pushed, and pushed and you just let me. When you told me it was too much and I ignored you, you kept going. Sure, you threw a few fits. You left me with reminders of the pain that I put you through while training. But I have to admit that I am in awe.

I may not love what I see in the mirror, but that is just a minor part of what you are. I cannot believe that, after three weeks of basically no running, save a short jog/walk along the beach, you let me push you for 26.2 miles. And you hardly made a peep. So, there was a minor squeak in one foot and one ankle, but considering that I am not at the weight I was hoping…or that I was at four weeks ago, I just can’t really complain. I hadn’t been feeding you properly, or hydrating you properly, or giving you adequate rest, and yet you were a champ. And we did it. Somehow, we pushed on for 26.2 miles and lived to tell about it. It’s so easy to forget just how incredible you are and just how blessed I am to have you.

With much love and appreciation,

The girl who hopes to make this marathon running thing a regular experience and always appreciate her body, not because of what it looks like, but because of what it can do

I finished!

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Not that I was really concerned about finishing, but…it went really well. Perhaps a bit slower than expected, but given that in the three weeks preceeding the marathon I had only gone running twice, I feel good about it.

And guess what. I think I’m going to try and go back for more next year. The real update is to come…but probably not until tomorrow.

Thanks everyone for all of your well wishes! It was fun to check my email (from my phone) and text messages and have so many wonderful words of support.