A couple of races - Snow Canyon 1/2, Turkey Day 5k, St George 1/2 and Lake to Lake Relay

Again a little late, but hey -  at least I'm getting them journaled.

I went with some running friends and family over the past few months to get some races done for the Runner's Series so I have a sure "in" for St George marathon as well as our traditional Thanksgiving family run

The first was the Snow Canyon 1/2:

Brenda and I went down and ran this one with her niece.  I was still dealing with the neck and back pain, but still thought is was muscles so I just ran through it.  Not my best time, I was just glad to have it over with.

Traditional Beaver Big chair pic

Beautiful sunset

Just as pretty sunrise that morning

On the bus ride to the start line

Love meeting up with running friends at the start - hi there Chanda

My official time.  Not my best, not my worst but all things considered, I'll take it

As a family we did the Thanksgiving day Turkey Leg 5k and even Chloee ran the kids 1k race.  

Family selfie

my crazy girls

Me and my running bestie Brenda

Corb crossing the finish line

Getting ready to run with my little bff

Just missing Tuffy and 'Tana

Gibby keeping track of the finishers

Luke crossing the finish

Kar crossing the finish

Joe Joe working the tent

Mind's crossing the finish line

My work bestie Alex

My work family - Darrell, Alex, me, Joe and Gibbs

Splenda Daddy triumphantly crossing the finish line

Chlo and I coming in

I LOVE running with this girl.  She has a competitive spirit about her when it comes to running and that makes my heart swell with happiness

Next up was the St George half marathon in January.  By this time I knew I had a bulging disc, but hadn't started any treatment for it yet.  Another race where it was just a matter of powering through to get it checked off the list.  This time we had Karalee, Brenda, Mindi and myself.

a beautiful sunset on the drive down

road trip

traditional shot in the Beaver big chair

at the start

Doug and Melia - my own personal cheering section each time I come down there.  I love them so much!

Yeah......this is how it was towards the last mile or so

Crossing the finish line

Before heading home, we met up with Doug and Melia for lunch.  

Such a great time, and even better to get this one crossed off the books

And finally, the funnest one of them all - the Lake to Lake Relay!

By now, I not only knew about the bulging disc but was starting treatment and trying to figure out the best way to get it taken care of.  I was in no shape to run, but I had captained this team and no way was I going to miss being with my girls and friends.  Thankfully, my team members took most of my miles for me, I allowed myself to run 3 miles at the very end and then knew my running days were over for awhile.

Traditional Beaver Chair pic

Mindy, Joni and Karalee in the back

me and Brenda up front - love these girls

Joni rockin it!  She was seriously our ace in the hole.  I wanna be like her when I grow up

Beautiful scenery for this desert rat

Mindy tackling the hill

more beautiful desert scenery

Karalee coming into the exchange

Seriously Brenda is a running rock star!!

Kar and Mind's catching some wonderful sun rays.

And yes, there were sunburns

Just a quick shot of me bustin out those 3 measly miles

Not too shabby for an injured girl.  I'll take it.

Seriously love these girls.  Like SERIOUS love

Brenda, Mindy, me, Karalee and Joni

Our team name was Girls on the Run but apparently there was a letter missing

girls on the un - pretty cool

and finally, saw this on our way home through Hurricane.  

Custom built trailer.

Only in Hurricane.

So there we have it.  A massive post with all my races in one re-cap.  If you've made it this far - good for you.  I can now rest knowing I got these caught up.

I have to admit, that looking through these pictures while I'm recouperating from surgery has made me even that much more anxious to get out running.  Still not cleared to do that yet, but I am walking my butt off and by June - I'll be posting about Ragnar.

Until then.....

happy running yo

xoxoxo

El Tour de Tucson 2014 - JDRF Ride for a Cure

So what if I'm late posting.  What of it?  With all this extra time on my hands I decided maybe I should dust off the old blog and start journaling some of the things that have been going on.  So....yeah, this was back in November of 2014 - apparently I've got some catching up to do.

All ya'll know my bestie Tiburon has a son Ethan who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a toddler.  In the many years we have been friends, I have watched first hand their struggle to keep the disease under control.  It's not easy.  And it sucks.

After he was diagnosed she did what every parent would do and researched, researched and then......researched some more.  She decided to become involved with the JDRF Juvenile Diabetes Reseach Foundation.  They are more driven to finding a cure than to just finding lifestyle adjustments.  You can read more about the organization HERE.

For years, she has been begging me to come do a ride with her, and I've always had to decline. Mostly because I am a terrible fundraiser.  I hate asking people for money, and I knew that I couldn't come up with the funds myself, so instead I have served as head cheerleader as she and Ethan have tackeled difficult rides around the country.  As things turned out on 2014, there was an opportunity for me to go as Ethan's chaperone without me having to ask people for money.  I booked my flight, and then began to get in some saddle time on the stationary bike at the gym.

At the time, I was having my neck and arm pain and issues, but didn't really have a diagnosis other than it was muscular.  My plan was to stretch it often but come heck or high water, I was going to ride.  Even if I had to take breaks and rest and readjust positions.

Luckily, I was able to manage to get on the same flight as Tib and Ethan - and we were off!

The resort were we stayed was BEAUTIFUL!  I was expecting some warmer temps, but it was certainly better than back home in SLC and I'm a desert rat at heart so to me it was gorgeous.

It's been so long now, that I can't provide a play by play but I'll post the pictures, give a summary and call it good.

The bike room in the hotel,  The bike room staff primarily: Mike, Terri and Andy were phenomenal.  I knew that they would take good care of my Patrick the Purple Road Eater

Enjoying a little sun poolside

A fellow Utah team member who also works for Coke and knows my son.  Such a small world!

A gorgeous sunset

At this paticular resort they have an evening tradition of telling a story and then allowing guests to sample a particular tequila.  I loved the story and my drinking friends loved having my share

A beautiful settting for dinner under the stars

Me and Ethan - love that kid!

One day we had lunch on this golf course.  It was amazing!

Team Utah!

My official badge

A cool thing that they do is decorate the hotel room doors with notes and love from T1 kids

More beauty at the resort

Clearly I'm an idiot with the flash, but that's my official jersey

If you have spare time on your hands, you have plank contests.  I win.  Always.

Breakfast with Coach Bobby and my curly headed friend

Oh look - more planking.  I win.  Always.

Another shot of team Utah 

Ethan, Tiburon, myself, Bobby, and crap I can't remember the other names (see what happens when you wait so long to post?  I suck)

At the start line.  Since the race is one of the biggest in the United States, the JDRF riders line up at the back and let the elite riders start it off.

Make no mistake who I was riding for.  Ethan and my nephew Roger

Didn't get any pictures along the way.  We were pretty much down to business and just riding.  But here we are at the finish!

My bling!

My own personal poster to cheer me on

Our finish time.  Not too bad.  I know Ethan would have finished much faster if he didn't have to stick with this old lady, but overall, I think we did well.  Especially since neither of us trained.  I wonder how fast we could have done it, if we had trained.

Love this kid!

Crossing the finish line!!

Later that night around the fire pits, just reliving the fun.

I have to say, it was an awesome experience.  I really loved all the people I met, and enjoyed hearing their stories.  They are an amazing community of people who are doing all they can to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes.   They truly inspired me to work harder at causes that are personal for my family as well.

Big, huge thanks to Tiburon and Ethan for allowing me to come along and have this wonderful experience.

It's now 2015 and my bestie is again raising funds for the rides on the agenda for this season.  If you or a loved one is dealing with Type 1 diabetes please consider donating to their fund.

You can click HERE and it will direct you to her fundraising page.  Anything helps.  

Let's turn Type 1 into Type NONE!

An open letter to Dish Network

To whom it may concern,
    Okay, okay,.... you've had your fun. Time to get back to real business.  And by real business, I mean start airing FNC again.

When you dropped CNN, I was annoyed.  As one who likes to be informed from multiple sources, you dropping one of the major cable news providers seemed silly, but then a few days later when CNN reappeared, I figured you must have realized your mistake and quickly rectified it.

Not so this time.  I'm more than annoyed, I'm downright ticked off.  Not just because FNC has some of my favorite anchors such as Megyn Kelly and Bill O'Reilly, but there was a certain comfort in knowing that I had all angles of the news cycle,  Left leaning is provided, and then there was the Right leaning.  Now it's all off balance.

Moreover, I'm confused at your business decision.  Agree with or disagree with Fox News Channel and it's reporting, they are the number one rated cable news provider.  Number one.  In ratings.  You can't argue the numbers, so I'm curious as to which executive hit the eggnog a little too early and a little too hard to have made that poor business decision.  Or was there a deal made with that Kim dude over in North Korea?  (we call him Satan's Soldier, but that's beside the point).

At any rate, I guess our relationship is over.  I've been patient and waited but it seems that you are dead set on ticking me and thousands of other loyal customers off.  Just know that this break up is you, not me.  Come Monday, I'll be contacting Direct TV or Comcast and seeing which one offers me the sweetest deal.  And you know, they'll be offering all kinds of deals to swing us over.  I'll gladly take advantage of them.

It was a good run while we had it.  I'll miss the hopper and the prime time recordings, but all things I can live without. FNC, I cannot.

Sincerely,
a once loyal and valued customer of Dish who now will spend her dollars with someone else.

PS (the slam on North Korea?  Just a joke. Kinda.  I pray for those people daily)

Merry Christmas 2014 from the Catmull's

In the words of my late good friend Rob, "HOLY SMOKES!"

Where the freak did the time go?  Here it is, Christmas Eve and I'm barely getting our card and newsletter out.  I'm taking procrastination and making an art form out of it.

So what's been happening with the mCat and her clan?

Let's start with Corb, Karalee and Chloee.  Corb just finished up another semester at school with, of course, excellent grades.  They are renting a town home about 30 minutes away and are going to be looking for a home this next year.  He just started a job at the University of Utah in the Finance department of the Neuropsychiatric area.  So far, he is loving it, and they are offering phenomenal benefits.  I think he's going to be very happy there.  Karalee is back working with the dentist she was with before going to California and they are both serving in very time demanding callings at church.  He is the Young Men's President, and she is the Young Women's president.  I think it's safe to say the youth are in good hands there.  Chloee is in the middle of second grade, excelling, reading on a 4th grade level, still loves stuffed animals and has recently gotten into Barbie's.  She's also a whiz at Minecraft and while she tries patiently to teach me, I think she's come to the conclusion I'm a lost cause.  Her sense of humor is hysterical and I think she makes us all laugh on a daily basis.

Mindy and Luke are still in Saratoga Springs as well.  Luke was promoted to a  manager at the same company (internet coaching) he's been working for and he's doing well.  After taking most of the year off to focus on her health, Mindy recently began a new position with the Intermountain Donor Team.  She'll be scrubbing in and assisting in organ transplants.  A great position for her since it's prn (as necessary).  If for some reason she is not available, no big deal.  But when she does participate, she is doing life saving work.  An amazing blessing for her and a dream job.  They are currently serving as Sunday School teachers to the youth in their ward and they love it!  No little Lukindy's yet, but for now, they are loving on their little Zoey who is seriously one of the cutest little puppies ever.

Preston and Montana are still in their same apartment in Sandy.  Preston was promoted to a sales position a few months ago, and while it's hard work, he's loving what he does.  Montana has helped open a new Village Baker location in Sandy is still working part time while being full time Mommy to Addy.  Addy has grown in leaps and bounds.  Crud - she's gonna be speaking in full sentences before we know it!  Her blue eyes, and hair full of cowlicks is just like her Daddy, the rest is all Montana.  She is absolutely adorable and our family is so blessed to have her.  It's so fun to see them as a cute little family.  Makes my heart so happy!

Splenda and I went to Boston this past April so I could run the marathon and had an awesome experience.    It was a once in a lifetime experience that I have no interest in attempting to repeat.  When asked if I'll go back to Boston to run?  Nope.  One and done.  It was perfect and I don't want any other memory of it.

Splenda got a nice promotion and with the extra money came a whole lot of extra work.  He's immersed in a ginormous project for about the next year.  He'll breath again in late 2015, but until then, he and his laptop are besties.  As for me?  Still working part time at Wasatch Running Center and loving every minute of it.  We have the best crew, the best customers and there is much to be said for doing what one loves.  And although, I've been sidelined the past little bit with some neck and back issues, I've got some big running/triathlon goals for 2015.  Splenda is still serving on the High Council in our Stake and I'm still teaching Sunday School.

This summer we were able to get all of us up to the family cabin for a weekend and I think it was seriously the best time of our lives.  We have never laughed so hard, or enjoyed being with each so much!  It has been a huge relief having all the kids back home in Utah and so close by.  We are close to each other, talk frequently if not daily, send funnies to each other in a group hangout session and often just drop in for quick visits.  I could have never dreamed that my little family would be so happy!  We've had some bumps with some health issues here and there, but overall, we are a most blessed family.

2014 has been an awesome year for the Catmull's and here's looking forward to an even better 2015!

Peace, Blessings and Merry Christmas

xoxox

m

Wednesday's Wrandom Wrambling

It's been a while since I've verbally vomited, perhaps it's time to purge.

First of all, holy smokes, the big ride is here!  I will be on a plane early tomorrow morning bound for Tuscon, Arizona and my first ever JDRF ride.  I am humbled and blessed to be given the opportunity to ride with Ethan and Tiburon for a cause that is so very personal to my bestie.

I couldn't have gotten there without the help of some very kind and very generous friends.  I believe I have personally replied to all donors via email and I've given a public shout out on fb to those that I could, but there were several who wished to remain anonymous - and I sincerely, sincerely thank you.

Should be warmer there than it is here.  Although, I was hoping for high 80's it  looks like it will be 70's.

I will not complain.

Okay, maybe I'll complain about my continued back pain.  Seriously?  Over. It.
I'm doing everything I know to do, following doc orders and just can't seem to keep the pain under control. And the really frustrating thing?  I feel good for a day or two and then bam - more pain and not necessarily in the same spot.  So frustrating.  So done.

And I'm gonna take that broken back and go ride 107 miles.  I am bat crap crazy.

Is it just me or are people really struggling?  I mean, all around me are family members, friends, acquaintances, neighbors etc that are going through some really crappy challenges.  Like REALLY crappy.  Like the kind that makes my heart hurt and my eyes leak.  I feel for them.

I'm over here knocking on wood because other than a little back pain, and some usual annoyances, life is pretty good at the mCat's house.  We've had a nice run for a couple of years, I've enjoyed the break.  Life is good.  I shouldn't hold my breath right?  What is life if not challenges to refine us and make us grow.

I'll enjoy the calm before the storm.

My poor doggie.  Had over 20 teeth pulled.  At least she has her four front fangs so her tongue will stay in.  Her breath has never smelled better.  Dental hygiene for dogs is not to be ignored.  Lesson learned.

Sooo, I'm seriously toying with the idea of doing an Ironman.  Okay, I'll do a half Ironman first, but I really want to check that off my bucket list.  Good thing I like to bike and swim and I'm decent at them.  I am excited for the cross training over the winter and working at all three disciplines.

I can't believe it's been almost a whole year since my kids moved back from SoCal.  I have loved every minute of having them so close.  Not gonna lie, sort of miss the excuses to take a long weekend and jet off to Chloeefornia, but weighing it all, I much prefer them closer to home.  Love having all my little chickens gathered around.

Working on another tree for Festival of Tree's.  Remember when I did one a couple of years ago?  Click here to refresh your memory.  This one is running themed (big surprise), to promote awareness for Cystic Fibrosis and to honor my DIL and her Cysters that live with it.  You can catch her story here.  It's been fun coming up with ideas but stressful making them happen.  Once I get home from the ride, my attention will be 100% on Festival.  I'm excited to see how this turns out.  And hope that I can actually pull it all together.  Maybe you could keep your fingers crossed for me.  I'm grateful for the friends and family that are helping me.  No way could I do this alone.

November is a slow time at the running store.  Which kind of bums me out.  I miss the familiar faces that come in often, the new people I meet and the stories of training and racing.  Can't wait for the first of the new year when everyone gets their resolutions going and training ramps back up.  I think I'm addicted to the positive energy.

Not that there's anything wrong with that!

Peace and blessings yo
xoxox
mCat






 

Snow Canyon 1/2 marathon - Desert, Dust and Demons

So over a week later, I get around to posting my thoughts on the Snow Canyon half. Why?  Mostly because I haven't carved out the time to do it.  Partly because I always need some time to decompress and process my experience and performance.

Friday afternoon Brenda and I hit the road.  A quick stop in Saratoga Springs to see Chlo in her Halloween costume and away we went.  Can I tell you how much I love road trips with besties?  It's like the time and miles fly by while we are talking non stop!

One must always stop in Beaver and take a pic in the chair

gorgeous sunset

We got into town, picked up our packets and headed to the Pizza Factory for some carb loading.  Never can go wrong at the Pizza Factory right?!  A HUGE thank you and hug of gratitude to Candice (Brenda''s niece) for letting us crash at her house.  A queen size air mattress, my pillow and my Yankee's blankie and I was set for a good night of sleep.

Thankfully, the race didn't start at the butt crack of dawn, and none of us had a burning desire to be on the first bus, so we had a little more sleep than I usually get the morning of race day.  We had just enough time at the start to hit the porta potties, see a few friends (wish I had gotten more pictures) and sing the national anthem.

The sunrise was beautiful

Us?  Not quite as much

Love me the Chanda!

Brenda's garmin was still trying to get the satellites, so we hung back while the rest of the crowd took off.  I think we were one of the very last people to cross the start line.  I had the metronome going and plugged in both ears and away we went.

Brenda and I stayed together for about 30 steps and then were separated.  I had no expectations for this race other than to run the best I could, post a decent time (preferably sub 2), and not get hurt,  I'd been having some major back pain, I have the century ride coming up, and I promised Splenda Daddy I wouldn't push it.  My plan now was to just run for the fun of running and try to enjoy the scenery.

It wasn't a typical St George day.  It was cold, rain clouds spitting every so often, and WIND.  When I say wind, I mean WIND.  Running.  Straight.  In.  To.  The. Wind.   Oh until we got out of the canyon and then it was a crosswind.  The crosswinds brought gusts of dust.  I could feel the little grains hitting my legs.

I felt good and kept up with my metronome until mile 11.  I had stopped once to retie my shoes (seriously, I tie shoes all day long and I can't even keep my own from coming undone?  WTC?).  Though the wind was brutal, I had warmed up and was now just in my tank and shorts.

Mile eleven is about when I hit the crosswinds.  They brought the dust and demons with them. Quite suddenly, I am feeling some pain in my right hip.  A familiar ache, but not one that I have had for years.  About the same time, I felt my left knee hurting and knew it was coming from my IT band.  Well sheesh - I haven't had IT band issues in years either.  What the crap?

I kept running even though both legs were hurting while the demon mind games began.  Pressing at the forefront was the promise I had made to Splenda Daddy about not pushing it.  I weighed that promise and the reality of a long bike ride commitment and allowed myself to walk.   Did walking feel any better?  Nope.  In fact worse, since the voices in my head just get easier to hear.

"You're walking. What a joke"
 "A measly half marathon, and you've already tapped out"
"Dude, no one even needs to train for a half, you just phone it in, and here you are walking - how pathetic"
"Look at everyone passing you, they are so much stronger than you are."
"So weak"
"Who do you think you are even entertaining the idea of an Ironman?  You can't even make it through a stupid half marathon!"
"If you would just stop being lazy and train better, you wouldn't be walking right now, you would already be finished"

And on and on it went for the next almost 2 miles.  Walk some, run some.  Walk some, run some. Verbally abuse myself some more.

Finally, I reached the last downhill and decided I was going to run the rest of the way regardless.  My legs didn't feel any better when I was walking so I might as well run and get this over with.  Sadly, they were hurting and unsteady so I about fell flat on my face as my tired feet wouldn't lift up quick enough and I stumbled.  Thankfully, I didn't go down, but I'm sure it was an amusing sight for those around me as I staggered around trying to stay upright.

As I crossed the finish line and stopped my garmin, I heard the announcer read my name.  I actually cringed a little on the inside because the race clock was well over two hours, though my garmin had something different.  I had to remind myself that we started several minutes after the gun.

After pushing my way through the crowded finish chute and retrieving my bag (with my warm bathrobe), I stretched and assessed my legs.  Well, aren't they feeling just fine now.  Walking was no problem.  No pain.  What the crap?  I felt so betrayed by them on the course just two miles previously and now they were just fine.  What a weakling..... and then the voices all over again.

Met up with Brenda and Candice and after a quick clean up, stop at Brenda's parents, we were on the road home again.  I loved the distraction of talking about life and everything else besides the race.  Brenda did well coming off of her injury and I think we both were just glad to have this over with.  Chalk one race down in the Runner's Series.

Why the demon talk?  Why the mean voices in my head?  I think every athlete deals with these at times.  We doubt our abilities.  We doubt our training.  We doubt our very worth of even participating.  It's so self destructive and quite frankly, if allowed, it completely inhibits our ability to succeed.  It's a stumbling block to even progress in our chosen sport.  It can destroy the joy of the sport and one's chosen hobby.

Such it is with life.  There are day's that I think everyone deals with those demon voices of doubt.  The whisperings that we aren't good enough, aren't worthy of happiness, aren't capable....etc etc etc.
Satan would like nothing more than for us to fail.  His only goal in his miserable existence is to take us down with him.  He can't stand seeing success in us, so he does what he can to knock us down any way possible.  Take our legs out from underneath us, if you will.  He does that best by creating feelings of unworthiness and convincing us that we have no value.  If he can get in our heads and make us believe we have nothing to offer, than he has won.

I, just like you, deal with these feelings far more often than I'd like to.  The challenge is to "keep our legs underneath us"  Sure there will be some aches and pains, and on occasion, it's okay to walk through them, but we have to keep those legs moving.  Forward.  Eye on the finish line.  Even if we wobble a little, even if we stumble......we just keep moving.  The more we keep moving, the quieter the voices will get. The louder your legs become and eventually you can quiet the mean talk altogether.  At least for a little while.

Remembering that I am a daughter of God with talents that He chose to give to me specifically, helps to keep the voices at bay.  Remembering that my value as a person, as a wife, mother, grandmother do not lie in how fast I can run, but rather from continuing to run even when it gets hard.  Remembering that though life brings strong headwinds, crosswinds with swirling dust, rain and loose laces, it always brings joy, happiness, success, and ultimately a finish line of glory that is worth pushing through the pain for.

So, Snow Canyon - you may have gotten the best of me for those last two miles, I am better, stronger and most importantly, LOUDER than any voice that can creep into my head.


PS - wanna know a secret?  Don't tell anyone, but I am training for a full Ironman.
Bring.it.