run.josh @phatjosh180 - Tumblr Blog

Closing Up Shop on PhatJosh.com

When I launched PhatJosh.com back in early 2010 I really did it as a way to stay accountable for my health. I mainly used it as a blog to track my weight loss, workouts and everything else that came with trying to lose 100+ lbs. It naturally evolved into a running blog as I evolved as well.

Over the past decade I’ve blogged my race reviews, about my health problems and everything in between.…

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#@josherwalla #blog #PhatJosh #running #running180

Closing Up Shop on PhatJosh.com

Over the past decade I’ve blogged my race reviews, about my health problems and everything in between. It’s been a great place for me to share my story with others. And, while I am closing shop on this blog, I am really just moving things over to a Blogger site, Josherwalla.com, I’ve had for a couple years. I’ve kept it lowkey and in waiting because I knew this site would eventually end.

The biggest reason why I am making the movie is money, I’ve paid about $100 a year to maintain this page on a WordPress template. The new site is a free website on Blogger. So, really it’s saving me … well about $100 a year. I love using a WordPress template and everything that comes with that — but — I also like saving my money as well.

I am still going to post my race reviews on Josherwalla. I will still write about my fitness. I will still talk about all of my struggles and triumphs. But, I’ll also be writing about more than just fitness and running stuff. I’ll include my muses, thoughts, adventures and whatnot. That will include what’s going on with Radio Ronin, life and everything else in between.

So I guess you could say that I am transitioning from a running to more so a personal blog. Something I’ve tried to keep seperate, but really — why? Plus, there’s so much more to my life than just running and I want to be able to share that.

This site will still be up until around March-ish, but I have already made the full-time switch to Josherwalla.com. If you would like to follow me there I’d love your company. And, remember you can always follow me on social media @josherwalla on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for the support over the past six years and see you on Josherwalla.

Peace.

Closing Up Shop on PhatJosh.com was originally published on Life In The Slow Lane.

#@josherwalla #blog #PhatJosh #running #running180

Salt Lake City Marathon Discount Code

Since I will be out for about 3-4 months from running post-op, I’ve been strategically planning on 2020 race schedule — especially my first half marathon back. I could PROBABLY push myself to a very painfully winded half marathon in March, but why do that to myself? That’s why I’ve decided to make the half marathon at the Salt Lake City Marathon my first race back post-op.

I want to give…

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Salt Lake City Marathon Discount Code

I want to give myself some good training in March and early April for the race. I won’t be focusing on a PR, set time goal or anything like that — I just want to be OUT THERE for the race. I’m going to my best effort, but don’t get me wrong … this will be like a reboot of sorts.I got a new ankle, new hope and new goals (or new old goals?).

That’s why I wanted to invite everyone sitting on the fence for a springtime race to join me on April 18th in Downtown Salt Lake. Whether you want to tackle the half marathon or any of the four road race distances, the bike tour or the 10K skating event — there’s kind of a race for the whole family!

And, to make it cheaper — I have a DISCOUNT CODE! If you use code JOSHSLC20 at checkout you will save 20% off ANY of the six races at www.saltlakecitymarathon.com. Make sure to signup ASAP because prices do tend to go up a bit each month.

SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!

But, here’s a little sexy graphic I made to remind yourself of the code and discount.

Anyways, make sure to sign up so you can join me on April 18th in Downtown SLC! Let’s make it a party!

Here are a few of my past Salt Lake City Marathon experiences from the past.

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RACE #35: Salt Lake City Half Marathon (2:28:28), April 20, 2013. Very somber race being the first race after the Boston Marathon bombings. Boston was on everyone's minds. The rain added to the somberness of the day. The cold rain also motivated me a bit to pick up my pace and just finish the face. I ended up with a sub-2:30 time. A great consolation prize to bad weather. #race35 #saltlakecityhalf #running @saltlakecitymarathon @joshruns180 @josherwalla

A post shared by Running 180 (@joshruns180) on May 29, 2016 at 9:06pm PDT

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RACE #58: Salt Lake City Half Marathon (3:06:46), April 19, 2014. Tough race. After about an hour of sleep the night before I stopped pushing for time around mile 3-4. I just didn't have it in me. So I would occasionally stop and run with friends as they passed. It was a lot of fun. At mile eight I was at an aid station passing out bagels (yup, you heard that right) when Jill caught up to me. She was having a miserable race so I joined her for the remaining part of the race — and we had a blast! We ended up stopping at @7eleven about a quarter of a mile from the finish line and epically crossed the finish line with our Slurpees in hand. One of my favorite running moments. #race58 #saltlakecityhalf #running @saltlakecitymarathon @joshruns180 @josherwalla

A post shared by Running 180 (@joshruns180) on May 31, 2016 at 6:38am PDT

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RACE #174: Salt Lake City Half Marathon, April 21, 2018 (3:01:08) There’s something about this race that’s always found a way to heal the soul for me. Whether it was running in denim for my mom’s breast cancer fight in 2012, the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013 or finding the joy of running through posed race pictures and Slurpees in 2014 — this race holds a special place in my heart. This morning I ran thinking constantly of both Robert Merriman and Carlee Sobczak, two runners we’ve lost in the past year that mean the world to me and so many others. I thought about the holes they left in our lives and how hard it’s not seeing them at these races they’d frequently do. I miss them. A lot. But, as empty as that hole has felt I couldn’t help but thinking about the need to fill those holes left behind. Nothing will ever replace them, nor will those holes ever be completely filled, but by carrying their message, their legacy and living with the courage of their examples by doing good toward all, being a helping hand wherever’s required or simply making sure no one is left behind or forgotten — we honor their role in our lives. I’m dedicating every mile this year to these two missed friends and I’m passing on their legacy by paying it forward wherever and whenever I’m able. Thanks for running with me Zack Winters this morning, you have no idea how much I needed it. Other than that the ankles fine, I finished strong and so grateful I got to hangout with the Gabicas for a few hours! #LiveLikeRobert #Miles4Carlee #SaltLakeCityHalf #Race174 @saltlakecitymarathon @joshruns180

A post shared by Running 180 (@joshruns180) on Apr 22, 2018 at 9:14am PDT

Salt Lake City Marathon Discount Code was originally published on Life In The Slow Lane.

#discount code #marathon #salt lake city half marathon

So I guess that's my 2019?

So I guess that’s my 2019?

So, I realized today that my running season is officially over. Well, okay, it’ll officially be over on Thursday when I go under the knife to fix my peroneal tendon and a bone spur. The surgery will keep my sidelined for a good three months-ish. I say -ish, because I am anticipating that it will take me awhile to get my stamina back, especially considering that I don’t have much stamina as it is…

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So I guess that's my 2019?

Looking back at 2019 — it sucked. I really should have seen it coming, especially going into year two of a stupid bummed ankle. I wasn’t getting into a needed rhythm and even after seeing a doctor (again) in the early part of the year — there wasn’t much concern about my ankle (PT and ice it …).

I had big plans for 2019 and they just kind of sputtered out quite quickly. I DNS’d (Did Not Start) 20 races,going into the year I had only DNS’d 17 races. So, yeah, I more than doubled that. I don’t want to think about how much money I lost, but I’m happy to say that at least some of those missed races were charity races. But, yeah, I really don’t want to tally those missed race fees.

I will be DNSing at least two more races this upcoming year that conflict with my recovery time. I am bummed I won’t be at the New Year’s Revolution Run (I’ve done it every year since 2011) and the March Madness 10K (I don’t recouping my race fees since it goes to the Bountiful Pantry) — but, even though I think I could MAYBE do the 5K during the March Madness races in March, I don’t know? And, I don’t want to push it until I know where my recovery is around that time.

But, as much as 2019 sucked — it did have it’s highlights. I loved running a number of races with friends — namely Amanda at the Salt Lake City Half Marathon and Jill at both the Revel Mt. Charleston and Big Cottonwood races. I also did really well at the Drop13 Big Cottonwood 5K with a 32 minute 5K. A race I exerted waaaaaay too much during and ended up with pneumonia a week later. But, at least I ran fast! HA!

If we’re going to look at my stats, they’re definitely not my best. But, I’m really trying not to beat myself up over it considering I did them all on a TORN PERONEAL TENDON!!! And, that goes for all of 2018 and a good chunk of 2017 as well. I’m quite proud of that stupidity.

But, as painful and trying as recovery from surgery will be — I’m excited. I’m excited to have the stupid little tendon fixed that’s been giving my running, life and health hell for the past 2.5 years! What’s another 3-4 months on top of that? I am so looking forward to that run where I can finally say — I got my rhythm back. I not only want to make 2020 my year, but I want to make 2021 and beyond the best years yet.

Anyways, here are my 2019 race results …

Completed Races

New Year’s Revolution Run; January 1, 2019 (3 hours/8.5)

Sun Half Marathon; February 2, 2019 (3:25:42)

Winter Series 15K; February 23, 2019 (2:27:51.8)

SoCal Half Marathon; March 2, 2019 (4:56:19)

Lucky13 10K; March 16, 2019 (1:22:52)

Run Emigration Canyon 10 Miler; April 6, 2019 (10 miles; 2:17:55)

Salt Lake City Half Marathon; April 13, 2019 (3:11:26)

Revel Mt. Charleston Half Marathon; April 27, 2019 (3:09:21.08)

Vigor Big Cottonwood 10K; May 11, 2019 (1:14:25)

Drop13 Big Cottonwood 5K; June 8, 2019 (0:32:36)

Dirty Dash 5K; June 8, 2019 (Untimed)

Farmington Days 10K; July 13, 2019 (1:38:41)

Handcart Days 5K; July 20, 2019 (0:41:12)

Deseret News 10K; July 24, 2019 (1:22:13)

The Launch Team 10K; August 3, 2019 (1:29:01)

Elephant Rock Trail Run; August 10, 2019 (7 miles; 2:21:17)

Mt. Nebo Half; August 24, 2019 (3:22:44)

Revel Big Cottonwood Half Marathon; September 14, 2019 (3:19:21)

Remember Me 5K; October 5, 2019 (Untimed)

The Haunted 5K: Provo; October 26, 2019 (0:47:03)

Spectrum Turkey Trot 5K; November 9, 2018 (0:45:46)

Races Not Started

St. George Half Marathon; January 19, 2019

Frigid 5K; January 26, 2019

Free Food 5K; January 26, 2019

March Madness 10K; March 2, 2019

Antelope Island Buffalo Run 25K; March 9, 2019

Wasatch Trail Run: Utah Olympic Park; May 22, 2019

Race for Grief 10K; May 27, 2019

Wasatch Trail Run: Solitude; June 12, 2019

Utah Summer Games 10K; June 14, 2019

Wasatch Trail Run: Snowbird; June 19, 2019

Follow the Flag 5K Trail Race; July 6, 2019

Wasatch Trail Run: Alta; July 10, 2019

Wasatch Trail Run: Brighton; July 17, 2019

Speedgoat 25K; July 20, 2019

Wasatch Trail Run: Snowbird; August 7, 2019

Wasatch Trail Run: Alta; August 14, 2019

The Haunted 5K: SLC; October 19, 2019

South Davis Turkey 10K; November 28, 2019

New Year’s Revolution Run; January 1, 2020

March Madness 10K; March 7, 2020

Here is how 2019 compares to the other years I’ve raced over the years …

Total Miles Raced

2007 – 006.20 miles 2010 – 006.20 miles 2011 – 093.40 miles 2012 – 374.20 miles 2013 – 334.40 miles 2014 – 463.10 miles 2015 – 452.70 miles 2016 – 410.38 miles 2017 – 452.30 miles 2018 – 299.90 miles 2019 – 162.90 miles

TOTAL – 3052.72 miles

Races over 13.1 Miles

2011 – 05 races 2012 – 25 races 2013 – 24 races 2014 – 30 races 2015 – 31 races 2016 – 22 races 2017 – 32 races 2018 – 18 races 2019 – 06 races

TOTAL – 193 races

Races over 26.2 Miles

2012 – 3 races 2014 – 3 races 2015 – 2 races 2016 – 5 races 2017 – 1 race

TOTAL – 14 races

Total Races

2007 – 01 race 2010 – 02 races 2011 – 11 races 2012 – 27 races 2013 – 28 races 2014 – 33 races 2015 – 34 races 2016 – 27 races 2017 – 34 races 2018 – 32 races 2019 – 21 races

TOTAL – 250 races

Let’s get this surgery over with and bring on 2020! I can’t wait!

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A post shared by Trails & Pavement (@trailsandpavement) on Oct 26, 2018 at 8:45pm PDT

So I guess that’s my 2019? was originally published on Life In The Slow Lane.

#2019 #2019 running #half marathon #running

Surgery, Recovery and Rehab

Welp. Surgery is set. Next Thursday will be the day. Dr. Trevor Williams is fixing a couple tears in my peroneal tendon and shaving a bone spur down around the tendons. Most of the pain and aggravation from the tendons is not just from the tears, but how the spur is rubbing against the tendon.

I’m really surprised that I’ve last over two years with the injury. To think I’ve done over 75+ races…

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#health #peroneal tendon

Surgery, Recovery and Rehab

I’m really surprised that I’ve last over two years with the injury. To think I’ve done over 75+ races on it since the initial injury — is just crazy. It’s really both amazing and stupid. But, it’s not like I didn’t try to get it fixed — I just hadn’t found the right doctor yet. Too bad I didn’t go to Dr. Williams initially.

Lesson learned.

I am pretty excited to have the surgery, because I can’t wait to get back into an actual rhythm. I can’t wait to get my endurance back and get rid of some of this weight. I’d really like to get down a good 50-60lbs. next year. And, really, this surgery is the key to all of that.

I’m not worried about the actual surgery — but, after my pre-op yesterday, I won’t lie — the recovery and rehab is something I’m going to have to make sure I follow and am patient with. Realizing I am going to be in a boot for 6-8 weeks and then not able to run for about 8-12 weeks — kind of freaked me out a bit.

Patience.

The thought of dealing with a boot during snow and ice season makes me a little nervous as well. Even though I don’t need crutches, I’m still going to use them for stability to get around outside. I don’t want to take a chance.

But, the little things of surgery hit me yesterday — like, showering with a plastic bag over my foot, sleeping in a boot, switching out bandages and getting stitches removed. Did you know that I’ve never had stitches? So this will be kind of all new for me. I’m not worried about the actual pain — more the disruption of everyday life.

With a 8-12 week break from running — I am looking at getting back around the first of March-ish. I already have plans for a 10K and Half Marathon in March, but honestly, I’m going to play it conservatively and push that back to April. I want to get some running down on the treadmill and around the neighborhood first before I race.

But, right now I’m thinking of doing the Eggs Legs 10K on April 11th before doing the Salt Lake City Half Marathon the following weekend. I’ll follow that up with the Provo City 5K and Vigor Big Cottonwood Half the following month. I am hoping by June I’ll be ready to work toward marathon training for the Revel Big Cottonwood Marathon in September.

I’m not sure if those are too ambitious for me? But, between getting back to 100% with running, strength training and consistency — I feel good about getting into better shape both physically and mentally. It’s amazing how long I’ve been dealing with the physical and emotional impact of this stupid ankle. It’s been too long. I’m sick of the pain, especially when a winter storm comes rolling in.

Blah.

But, the beginning of the end is coming next Thursday. And, for that — I’m excited and ready — for this new adventure. Let’s do this!

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Surgery, Recovery and Rehab was originally published on Life In The Slow Lane.

#health #peroneal tendon

That &@$# Ankle ... but ... it's getting better!

That &@$# Ankle … but … it’s getting better!

After nearly two and a half years of dealing with a stupid hurting ankle — I finally have some answers. Like, some concrete answers — along with some tangible solutions. Something I’ve felt would never happen after dealing with the pain for over a couple years.

As a refresher — on April 1, 2017 — while running down Emigration Canyon I twisted my right ankle on a pothole. It hurt, but nothing I…

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#ankle #injury #peroneal tendon #running #sprained ankle

That &@$# Ankle ... but ... it's getting better!

As a refresher — on April 1, 2017 — while running down Emigration Canyon I twisted my right ankle on a pothole. It hurt, but nothing I felt that was too serious in the moment. I had sprained my ankle before and they would just naturally heal after icing and babying it for a week or so.

Welp, after babying it for about a month I went to the foot doctor and got prescribed physical therapy and rest. After a couple of months of PT — I didn’t show much progress, but was told it would take some time to feel better.

So, I kept running waiting for the pain to go away.

I really should have pushed on the brakes, but I had a number of goals I wanted to reach sooner than later. One, was reaching my 180th race — I had about 25-30 races to go and really wanted to push to get that goal done within a year — and, two, I was working on training for a 100 mile run. I had places to go and races to run.

I really should have stopped. But, I didn’t.

Moving into 2018 I decided to go back into getting my ankle checked again, because NOTHING was helping subside the pain. But, I was once again given PT and told to ice it when needed. It was a constant reminder running up or down hill, running fast or slow, and even simply walking anywhere. I was constantly icing and babying it and I lost my rhythm. Like all of it.

2018 was full of many ups and downs for me — especially reaching my 180th race. But, as many highs as I had — I had a number of lows as well. But, none more than this year. Everything I tried to do just fell flat. My training fell flat. I was in more and more pain — and my body just couldn’t do what I knew it needed to do.

So I backed off on the running — almost completely. I took what my body could give me. I cut a lot of the half marathons and trail races I planned for the year and either downgraded them to the 10K or 5K … or just didn’t do them. That was very difficult for me to do because I knew where I could physically be — and I just wasn’t there. Let alone mentally as well.

It’s funny — well, okay, not really funny — how we process and deal with pain both physically and mentally. If I’ve learned anything from my two year experience with my ankle it’s how easy to amend our behaviors and habits to temper the pain rather than fix it. I think that’s kind of natural habit, especially when it feels like you’ve exhausted your resources on a solution.

But, as much as I tried to live with the stupid pain — I knew I didn’t have to live with it forever. I needed a solution. There had to be a solution. But, how do you really keep believing in there being a solution after you’ve gone to two doctors who just prescribe physical therapy? But, I knew it was more than just a bum sprained ankle and there had to be a better solution than what I’ve gotten from two feet doctors.

So, I went for a third opinion.

Dr. Trevor Williams — aka The Foot Doctor — was recommended to me by a number of runners, including his wife Anna. I wish I went to him MUCH earlier, because he got right down to finding a solution. In the hour — well 45 minutes — of me being there he hooked up my ankle to the ultrasound machine looking for an ACTUAL solution.

After seeing some possible damage he ordered a MRI — something that previous two doctors didn’t do. I finally felt that a solution to the pain was moving along. And, after the MRI the tests came back last Friday stating what was kind of expected — I had a tear in the peroneal tendon along with a bone spur that was aggravated the tendon.

I would need surgery to fix it.

Which I was oddly ecstatic about. But, given the mental and physical toil I’ve gone through the past couple of years — it was a tangible solution! Sure, there’s nothing minor than surgery — but at the same time Dr. Williams reassured me that I should be back and running within 8-12 weeks after surgery and be in a boot for about 6-8 of those weeks.

I can live with that temporary pain, because I have places to go, races to run and goals to meet. I desperately want to feel balanced and being 100% balanced physically is a big part of that. So three months of rehab, boots and strength training is where my focus will be — and I’m totally cool with that — because I see a solution to the issue at hand.

This does mean I will have to miss a few races. Not too many thankfully — namely the New Year’s Revolution Run (the first time missing it since 2011!) and the Sweethearts 5K. I didn’t schedule a lot of races in the winter — because I kinda anticipated something like this to happen with my ankle — plus I hate running in the cold anyways.

The only part of my schedule I am not sure about would be my March races. I was looking forward to the Canyonlands Half Marathon (because I’ve never been to Moab) and the March Madness 10K (because it benefits my hometown’s pantry) — but, I might defer my Canyonlands bib to next year and then downgrade to the 5K at the March Madness.

But, that will all determine how well my ankle responds to the surgery and rehab. Which shouldn’t be too much of an issue based on what Dr. Williams told me. So, the next 3-4 months will be spent REALLY watching my diet and doing consistent strength training. I might even jump in the pool a bit as well, who knows?

I am just glad and UBER excited to finally have some answers to this stupid issue that’s plagued me for over two years. I feel hopeful and that’s been something I haven’t felt about my running in quite a while! WOOT!

Here’s my revised race schedule for 2020 …

New Year’s Revolution Run; January 1, 2020 (AXED)

Sweethearts 5K; February 8, 2020 (AXED)

March Madness 10K; March 7, 2020 (?)

Canyonlands Half Marathon; March 14, 2020 (?)

Salt Lake City Half Marathon; April 18, 2020

Provo City 5K; May 2, 2020

Vigor Big Cottonwood Half Marathon; May 9, 2020

Race for Grief 10K; May 25, 2020

Utah Valley Half Marathon; June 6, 2020

Drop13 Big Cottonwood Half Marathon; June 13, 2020

Heber Half Run for Autism; June 27, 2020

Deseret News Half Marathon; July 24, 2020

Mt. Nebo Half Marathon; August 29, 2020

Pocatello Half Marathon; September 5, 2020

Revel Big Cottonwood Marathon; September 12, 2020

The Haunted Half: Salt Lake City; October 24, 2020

The Haunted 5K: Provo; October 31, 2020

South Davis Turkey 10K; November 26, 2020

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That &@$# Ankle … but … it’s getting better! was originally published on Life In The Slow Lane.

#ankle #injury #peroneal tendon #running #sprained ankle

Decade.

This episode is a little different, there’s a bit more of a serious tone to it compared to previous episodes. No, don’t worry, it’s not an Afterschool Special kind of episode. But, it’s really about the heart of who I am, who I’ve become and what I’ve overcome over the past decade.

This episode is a celebration of sorts about the conscious decision I made, ten years ago today (Nov. 11, 2009)…

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#goals

Decade.

This episode is a celebration of sorts about the conscious decision I made, ten years ago today (Nov. 11, 2009) to stop reaching for unrealistic perfection, to accept both failure and success and make a better life for myself. In the process of making that decision I subsequently was able to lose over 150lbs., run over 250 races and even become an ultrarunner.

But, this journey hasn’t been about just the weight-loss or running, they’ve been byproducts of that decision I made to … live. This mentality has not only helped me through the challenges of running the roads and trails, but the rockier roads of life without losing my enthusiasm, appreciation and love for life.

This is my story. Enjoy.

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Decade. was originally published on Life In The Slow Lane.

#goals

Running 2020 Goals & Outlook

We have two months left of 2019 — but, I am already looking at, planning and anticipating the new year. I’ve done this in the past, but this year it’s because — well — I gave up on making much of the rest of this year. I stopped tracking my weekly and monthly mileage and I am just focusing on rehabbing my ankle, refocusing my fitness and recentering myself until the turn of the calendar. My body…

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#2020 #5K race #half marathon #health #marathon #road running #running #running 2020 #running goals #trail running #wellness

Running 2020 Goals & Outlook

I am tempering my excitement and goals for 2020, because I overdid it in 2019. I had many grandiose goals and plans. And, well, that all fell flat. I can’t even begin to tell you how many DNS’ I collected. A lot. Too many. I spent too much money on nothing.

I think part of that was fueled by this anxious need to be somewhere with my fitness and running that just wasn’t realistic. Anxiety that’s been somewhat fueled by my desire to crank out that elusive 100 miler — something I really would like to get done by 2021 when I turn 40. That’s about 20-ish months away — which I think is doable, but I’m not sure if it is realistically smart to put that deadline on me?

But, that’s a post for another day.

As I look forward to the new year, I am optimistic of what I have in front of me. I am keeping my goals simple and really seeking out — fun. If there has been something missing the past couple of years from my running it’s been the focus on fun. Mainly, because I’ve been too focused on reaching goals that were getting harder and harder to reach. I really just need to inject more fun into my running.

How am I going to have more fun in 2020? Well, for one — I am keeping my goals simple, focusing on one goal race (a marathon) and finding a cross-training exercise or hobby each month to learn and tackle (ie — cycling, hiking, swimming, dancing, martial arts, etc.). Just something different and fun!

But, the goal for all of my goals is to make sure they support each other — and that I end 2020 much more happier, fulfilled and grateful than the past couple of years. Not, that they have completely sucked — they’ve just sucked fitness and running wise. And, I’m just tried of dealing with many of the same issues year in, year out.

So here is a look of my 2020 goals and schedule. Of course the schedule could change — and probably will — but, the focus is to at least do the Revel Big Cottonwood Marathon in September 2020. I’m toeing that start line and crossing the finish line!

I told you these goals were simple. But, I like that. I need that. Especially, right now. The number one goal is to run a marathon — it’ll have been four years since my last marathon once I do the Revel Big Cottonwood Marathon next year. That’s too long. I crave the long distance.

I injected a little fun in my goal mileage — yes — it’s in reference to 7 Eleven. That’s an average of 59.25 miles a month, which will be a good challenge. But, since I am marathon training beginning in May — I’ll get a bulk of those miles between May and September. That leaves me some more recovery months in the winter months. It’s a good goal

And, then the cross-training goal I mentioned above. I’m just going to find fitness things to train for, do, tackle, whatever — that sound fun to me. I have a few ideas on what I’d like to do, but I’m not going to plan that all out right now. I’ll give myself a leeway of at least a couple of months.

But, what do you think of my 2020 goals?

Run a marathon.

Run 711 miles.

Cross-train a new hobby/sport/interest each month.

I feel like these are good goals for me. They’re simple, they’re methodical and goals that will — or should — lead me to bigger goals for 2021. Which will hopefully lead me toward my 100 mile goal.

And, quite honestly, depending on how I feel with my marathon training, I’d really like to possibly tackle the St. George Marathon and Antelope Island 50K again — favorite races of mine. But, I really don’t want to get too ahead of myself.

Registered Races

Races I am registered and planning to do.

New Year’s Revolution Run; January 1, 2020

March Madness 10K; March 7, 2020

Canyonlands Half Marathon; March 14, 2020

Salt Lake City Half Marathon; April 18, 2020

Provo City 5K; May 2, 2020

Vigor Big Cottonwood Half Marathon; May 9, 2020

Utah Valley Half Marathon; June 6, 2020

Heber Half Run for Autism; June 27, 2020

Mt. Nebo Half Marathon; August 29, 2020

Pocatello Half Marathon; September 5, 2020

Planned Races

Races I am planning on doing, but not registered for yet.

Sweethearts 5K; February 8, 2020

Race for Grief 10K; May 25, 2020

Drop13 Big Cottonwood Half Marathon; June 13, 2020

Deseret News Half Marathon; July 24, 2020

Revel Big Cottonwood Marathon; September 12, 2020

The Haunted Half: Salt Lake City; October 24, 2020

The Haunted 5K: Provo; October 31, 2020

South Davis Turkey 10K; November 26, 2020

I am feeling good about my goals. I am feeling good about my race schedule. I have a marathon training plan as well — that I’ll share later. But, I feel that I am getting ahold of my health and fitness and really I feel like I am starting all over again with running — which has been more of a liberating feeling than anything.

So, yeah, that makes for a fun, challenging and hopefully — rewarding — 2020.

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A post shared by Trails & Pavement (@trailsandpavement) on Feb 4, 2019 at 3:53pm PST

Running 2020 Goals & Outlook was originally published on Life In The Slow Lane.

#2020 #5K race #half marathon #health #marathon #road running #running #running 2020 #running goals #trail running #wellness

Yes, Lizz, you are a marathoner

At 2:38:30 PM the last runner crossed the finish line at the Revel Big Cottonwood Marathon — just under eight hours after the gun sounded near Guardsman’s Pass in Big Cottonwood Canyon to start the race. The course took her down Guardsman Pass, around Brighton Loop, down Big Cottonwood Canyon and then along an out and back on Wasatch Boulevard before the last three miles along Fort Union…

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Yes, Lizz, you are a marathoner

At 2:38:30 PM the last runner crossed the finish line at the Revel Big Cottonwood Marathon — just under eight hours after the gun sounded near Guardsman’s Pass in Big Cottonwood Canyon to begin the race. The course took her down Guardsman Pass, around Brighton Loop, down Big Cottonwood Canyon and then along an out and back on Wasatch Boulevard before the last three miles along Fort Union Boulevard to the finish line at 1300 East. It was the same course the previous 1,072 runners took down the canyon toward the finish line.

But, this runner just happened to be the last one to finish it.

Surrounded by the remaining few volunteers, her friends and mother — this runner finished 7 hours and 53 minutes after the race clock started ticking.

The runner was my friend Lizz Ashby.

And, this was no easy task for her. Then again, marathons aren’t easy for anyone. On average a runner will dedicate themselves to 16-18 weeks of training with an average of 3-4 days spent running anywhere from three to 20+ miles — so they can confidently stand at that start line ready to tackle 26.2 miles.

Upon celebrating her completion, Lizz wore her finisher’s medal to work the following Monday, as she is accustomed of doing to show her kids her accomplishment. This hard earned medal wore heavy around her neck and still VERY sore body. She was proud of this accomplishment and was eager to show others that she was now a marathoner.

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A post shared by Trails & Pavement (@trailsandpavement) on Sep 15, 2019 at 2:11pm PDT

This enthusiasm was doused as a co-worker doubted this accomplishment. The colleague asked if she could REALLY consider herself a marathoner if she was the last runner on the course — and took nearly eight hours to complete. Lizz froze. She didn’t know the answer. And, she began to doubt herself.

Was she a REAL marathoner? Was she a part of the exclusive club of only 1% of Americans that can claim to have completed a marathon? What if her co-worker was right? Where did she belong within the running community?

Lizz reached out to me to ask what I thought. I took barely a second thought — well, of course you are a marathoner. You put in the training, you tackled the distance and you did it. Does that not make you a marathoner?

The more I’ve thought about my response to Lizz and the conversation between her and her co-worker — there has been a lot more I wish I said to Lizz to help quell those doubts within her. I also wished to address it in a more public way, because I’m not sure the co-worker — who’s not a runner — fully understands the power she took away from Lizz’s hard earned accomplishment.

So I decided to write an open letter to Lizz, to put write my feelings down of what I know makes a marathoner.

Dear Lizz,

When you started running over two years ago — I know you had no aspirations in tackling 26.2 miles. Like you said many times to me — a mile was a large enough feat. Having met you in June 2017 at the luncheon I was speaking at — I saw a lost girl looking for a direction. Being obese, unhappy and riddled with anxiety — I saw a woman who had enough.

I’m glad the night before I scrapped my intended notes for that luncheon. I can’t remember exactly what they were, probably because it was a message that didn’t resonate. I instead talked about how my journey was much more than just about running or fitness — it was about EMBRACING life.

In the past couple of years since I shared that message with you — you’ve EMBRACED life. Life hasn’t been easy for you — living with anxiety and depression isn’t easy. I know. Seeing you stop making excuses for not embracing life and doing it has truly changed my perspective on how I view my own life. I thank you for that.

To be honest, when I challenged you to train for a 5K — I didn’t think that you would tackle a marathon. It’s not that I didn’t think you could do it, it’s just that I know how much physical, mental, emotional and spiritual fortitude is needed to tackle the distance. This speaks volumes of how far you’ve come the last couple of years now that you’ve completed the distance.

You’ve worked hard for the past four months working on this goal. You’ve had numerous early morning treadmill dates, numerous long distance training runs and of course the 22 miler you did a month ago to test yourself if you were TRULY ready to tackle the distance. The consistent training you have to put in to get yourself to the starting line is one of the many things I love about the marathon.

You put in the work, no one else did it, but you!

There is something magical about a first marathon. And, quite honestly, I miss the feeling. The doubts, the fears subside when the gun sounds, you cross the start line and you find yourself in the moment. There’s something so wonderful, so precious, so divine when you find yourself in the moment of doing something you prepared yourself to do — especially for the first time.

And, the euphoric feeling of crossing that finish line after battling those 26.2 miles — it’s heaven. Especially when you’re surrounded by family and friends. I can only imagine the feelings you felt as you crossed your finish line.

I can also only imagine how you felt when your co-worker almost took those feelings of joy and triumph from you. I can’t imagine the doubt you felt pre-race make its’ way back to you post-race. The thought angered and saddened me tremendously, because I know what the expectations of us “back of the packers” usually tend to be.

But, Lizz, I am going to say this once — and with as much conviction as I can muster … LIZZ, YOU ARE A MARATHONER!

It was you who put in the work. It was you showed up the gym to run. It was you who tackled the training runs. It was who showed up at the race. It was you who ran the course. It was you pushed through the wall. It was you who had to work through mid-race panic attacks. It was you who persevered.

But, more importantly — it was you who crossed the finish line. IT. WAS. YOU.

That’s what makes you a marathoner.

Please always remember that and take pride in it. Never shy away from talking about it with others, especially your “non-running” friends. They might not one day run a marathon like you had, but as I have learned years ago — running is a metaphor for life. If anything teach them how to EMBRACE it.

Sincerely, Josher

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A post shared by Trails & Pavement (@trailsandpavement) on Aug 27, 2019 at 6:59am PDT

Yes, Lizz, you are a marathoner was originally published on Life In The Slow Lane.

RACE RECAP: Revel Big Cottonwood Half Marathon

Four months ago this was my goal race for 2019. I was registered to do the full marathon and was planning to train throughout the summer with the sole purpose and focus on doing another marathon. It’s been since February 2017 that I have tackled anything longer than a half marathon. I won’t rehash all of the reasons why — there were a lot of issues … ankle, back, health, etc., etc. You know,…

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#2019 running #big cottonwood #Big Cottonwood Half Marathon #Fitness #half marathon #health #jill gabica #race 247 #utah

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