Back to the outdoors

I've been really bad with my training/running.  I signed up for the Moab Canyonlands Half Marathon which is in March and I haven't really been training.  Mostly I've been going to the gym, which is still better than sitting around.

Today though I went for a longer run than I've been on.  I think it's about 6 miles.  I had to walk part of the hill I was on mostly because of my stomach.  :(  I was actually looking forward to conquering the long hill, but oh well.  Next time for sure.

It felt so good though to be outside.  I tried running on the treadmill the other day and it wasn't good.  Haha.  I think I lasted not even 2 miles, but I was also doing intervals.  I just don't have a lot of patience with a treadmill.  But when I am outside, I feel free.

I definitely needed this run though.  It's sort of a jumpstart for my training.  

No excuses now.  I am running for a good half marathon time.  

Plus I have to beat my dad.

Runaway Girl

Dog Lake Death Run

My friend Brett invited me to go trail running/hiking back in October 2013.  Of course I wanted to go, but I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into.

We drove to go run to dog lake.  I’ll admit I was a little worried because Brett is a MUCH better runner than I, but at least I gave him fair warning.  We didn’t run the entire time (I probably would have died), but when we did run I remembered how awesome trail running was.  Once we reached dog lake I was amazed with the beauty.  I loved it!  

First stop: Dog Lake

Brett then asked if I wanted to go further and I thought, yeah sure, I could handle it.  

We continued to run and occasionally walk/hike.  It was also getting later and later.  When we finally reached desolation lake we didn’t stay long because the sun was going down and we needed to get back.  Luckily he had a head lamp.  

Little did I know the trail we took was longer than expected.  We finally reached the car in safety and with the sun down.  I had a blast, but I didn’t expect us to run so far!  

My thoughts on this run.  The entire time I didn’t want to embarrass myself.  I tried so hard to keep up with Brett the entire time and not be that girl.  You know, the one who complains or whines and can’t handle it.  I have a bit of an issue with pride.  So I just prayed the entire time that I wouldn’t pass out and that I would be able to keep up with him.  I was fine being a little behind, but I didn’t want to slow him down.  I honestly was thinking, 'what did I get myself into'.

In the end I survived and I definitely felt accomplished.  I’m really glad my friend invited me and pushed me to what I didn’t expect to be able to handle.

I don’t think I always push myself hard enough with running until I am with other people.  I would have never done a run like that on my own.  I’m grateful I had someone to really push me to my limits.  Because in the end, I’m stronger than I think.

Runaway Girl

Second Annual Hidden Peak Hustle

I haven’t been running as much as I wanted to.  Thank you IT band.  But you know that won’t stop me completely.

The next race I signed up for is one of my favorites.  The Hidden Peak Hustle on July 20th, 2013.  I ran this race last year and that was their first time doing it.  So I was there from the start, why not keep it a tradition in my life? 

If you don’t know about the race, it’s a trail run race up in Snowbird.  Higher altitude and beautiful scenery.  No city.  I signed up for the 10K again.  Gary was awesome and ran the 5K race.  I didn’t realize he had signed up for it until the day of and I was thrilled.  His race started first and then I was off not too long after.  

Even if you’re not a trail runner, this is definitely a race to run.  I am not a trail runner and the first time I ever went was last years race.  But I can tell you that I love it.  Running a trail you would normally hike is exhilarating.  There are times I would have to walk/hike but when I ran, I RAN.  There’s definitely  different feel than when I run outside in my neighborhood/around the city.  You really do get away from it all.  It’s just you and mother nature.  

I definitely go super tired.  Trail running is intense.  I ended up behind a guy who I sort of used as a pacer.  He said I could pass him if he were going too slow and I told him he was actually pacing me pretty well.  Haha.

By the end though I was sprinting to that finish line.  Probably one of the best feelings is seeing the finish and having your adrenaline kick in.  What a race!  Gary was there cheering me at the end, which made it even better.  

Gary and I at the end of the race

In the end I cut off time from last year!  I was shocked considering I hadn’t done much training and hadn’t been running too much.  I guess my strength training at the gym helped a lot.  It was also awesome that both Gary and I got third place in our age group (male and female) for the 5K and 10K.  I was proud.  :)

Another happy race this year. 

Runaway Girl

Tiegan Hatch                             Gary Jones

10K                                            5K

Bib Number: 53                         Bib Number: 9

Time: 1:11:20.8                         Time: 40:02.6

Age group (20-29 F): 3/8          Age group (20-29 M): 3/7

Overall: 35/50                           Overall: 13/39

Salt Lake City Half Marathon

So my friend Katherine and I decided to sign up for the Salt Lake Half Marathon which was held on April 20th, 2013.  As in 5 weeks away from our last race.  Bring it on.

Katherine and I decided to train together.  I got a running schedule from my former cross country coach with a goal time of 1:45.  Katherine and I supported each other during the week, but on Thursdays we ran together.  Every Thursday we ran a 6 mile Fartlek.  We both believed this was the reason we did so well in the actual race.

On race day, the rain poured.  I was soaked the entire run, but it was a BLAST.  It wasn’t too cold once I got running.  I loved it.  The course wasn’t too bad either.  When we got to the start, we tried to move up as much as we could.  I could see the 1:45 pacer not too far ahead of us.  That was where I needed to be.  Keep the pacer in view.  And I did just that.

I ran with such strength.  I could see the pacer the whole time and that boosted my confidence.  Then at one point my stomach started to not feel so great and I got worried.  I was scared that this would ruin the entire race for me.  I still ran though and breathed.  I got through it and I am so grateful I didn’t have to walk.  I kept running.  

I had one more mile left and I was struggling.  I could feel myself slowing down a little.  Then I felt a little pat on my back.  My friend Katherine had caught up and was there to push me to run harder.  It was like we were back on our Thursday run pushing each other to run faster.  By the end we were both sprinting and finished together.  That is a true friend.

As we finished, we put out hands over our hearts for those affected by the Boston Marathon Bombing.  This was particularly close to me because I went to school in Boston and would watch the end of the marathon while I was out there.  I also had a lot of friends who were still there, and luckily none of them were around when the bomb went off.  Boston Strong.

And now the part you’ve all been waiting for.  What was my time?

1:46

Not only did I beat my dad’s top time for a half (which has always been my goal), but I cut off another 6 isn minutes from my last half marathon!  I’d say that’s a pretty big deal.  I was thrilled and the feeling of accomplishment overcame my freezing body.  The rain, the course, my home town, and my best friend.  This was quite the half marathon.  

So what’s next?  A rest.  But stayed tuned.  I’ll never stop running.

Runaway Girl

Tiegan Hatch

Bib Number: 2643

Time: 1:46.48

Age group (19-24 Female) Place: 15th

Overall Place: 319/3118