Park City Trail Series Part 1

On Saturday June 21st, I ran the first race of the Park City Trail Series, which was a 5K.

I drove by myself in the early morning and sang to my running playlist.  Once I got to Park City, I saw some hot air balloons and I was so happy.  What a great start to my morning already.  

The race started at 8:00am.  I gathered with all the runners and got to the start line.  I'll admit I was a bit nervous.  I hadn't run a race since March, and I don't remember the last time I ran a 5K competitively.  Plus, I'm not a trail runner.  I've only raced twice in a trail run and that was a 10K in Snowbird.  

The start was a little rough.  I had to get used to my pace for a shorter race and I had to get used to the trail.  It wasn't too hard of a course.  There were some hills, but they were very doable and I never felt the need to walk.  I kept a pretty steady race the whole time.  Once I hit the first mile I was happy.  Once I hit the second mile I was thrilled.  I picked up my pace a little bit more.  

I knew I had to be in a pretty good place (not amazing, but good) because I saw a lot of runners who were behind me.  I was also calculating in my head to determine where I was in my age group.  I was thinking I had a chance at getting third place.

When I turned the last corner I could hear a guy say "go get him".  I am assuming he was referring to the runner who was ahead of me.  So I ran.  I tried to catch up to that runner, but ultimately he still beat me.  That's okay.  I still finished strong.

First Trail Run Race for my Solomons

I had a blast.  I felt good and my body felt great.  This was a great start to the series.  As timed passed, I finally took a look at my time and placement.  I was pretty happy, but I didn't quite reach the goals I had sort of set prior.  From looking at last years times I was thinking I had to get under a 25:00min to place in the top three.  I was slower than that and in the end I placed fourth in my age group.  That's still pretty good.

I'll say, this is a race definitely worth checking out.  Even if you don't do the whole series. Trail running is a lot more fun because you are away from the city and around such beauty.  I'm pretty sure I smiled and maybe even chuckled a bit when I was running.  It was less like a race and more like a run.

Stay tuned.  Next up is the 10K in July.  :)

Runaway Girl







Tiegan Hatch
Bib #118
Time: 26:30.0
Age Group (F 20-29): 4/34
Overall Female: 18/179

Overall: 55/281

Softball and Deer

For today's run I decided to run to our softball game over by the Sunnyside Chapel.  I was okay at the beginning, but around the mile point I wanted to walk because my stomach felt a little off.  It's not that I wanted to give up, it's that I've learned if I don't catch the feeling early enough then I'll be running in a lot of pain and feel like passing out.  I've been better about understanding my body and it's limits at times.

After walking for a bit though I could run again and was fine the rest of the time.  I got to the softball game (I was late) and I didn't play too much.  I was able to play catcher for one inning and only got to hit once.  But it's alway fun to be a part of the team and even cheer.  Oh and we won giving us a 4-0 record. :)

I ran home and this time it was mostly downhill.  I pretty much ran the same route, but this time as I was running down 500 East I saw some deer in the cemetery.  I would have stopped to take a picture, but I thought it best to keep my body moving.  

Once I got home I knew I needed hydration and stretching.  I can definitely feel my muscles tightening and I was definitely dehydrated.  I need to make sure I'm drinking A LOT of water during the day so my runs aren't as tough.

In total I ran about 5 miles.  I had the break of softball in the middle, but I'm glad I was able to get more miles in today.  

I'll probably won't run tomorrow, but I might be going on a short hike.  It'll be a good break without just sitting around.  

I feel back in the game.  Still a little slow, but I have to start somewhere.  :)

Runaway Girl

A Simple Inspiration

I signed up for the Park City Trail Series to keep me motivated throughout the Summer to stay in shape and run.  I haven't been running very consistently though.

Tonight is what's going to make that all change.

I've been running here and there and I stay fairly active.  But I haven't been as intense with my running like I was last year, and that made me really sad.  Tonight at my Family Home Evening with my church, my friend LeAnne mentioned how she has been getting back into running.  She told me she was going to run after the activity that night.  Just from her saying that, I decided, I'm going running tonight.  

The weather was perfect and the sun was setting.  It was beautiful.  I decided to go for a short run to one of my favorite places in Salt Lake.  I couldn't help but smile throughout my run.  Originally I was worried that my stomach was going to act up again, but it didn't! I actually felt fairly strong, which was a nice feeling.

Memory Grove

It's funny how one simple thing someone says can motivate you.  I got into a running slump (which is VERY unlike me), but I feel like I'm finally back.  I'm not going to waste my time and make excuses.  

So if you feel like you aren't motivated enough to run, first sign up for a race.  That gives you something to work towards. Then have your friends help you out, whether that be to run with a friend or tell them about your race so they'll ask you how your training is going.  After that, be an example to other people.  We all have that slump, so be the person that says or does something to motivate another to run (or really for anything in life).

People inspire me.  Even with just the simplest of things.

Runaway Girl

P.S. I've had a hiatus with blogging lately.  Yet another friend has inspired me to get back to it.  It's the summer of running and blogging!

Disappointment and a Wake Up Call

I ran the Canyonlands Half Marathon in Moab for the second time.  The unfortunate part is that I did not train as well as I had in the past.  I don't know what was going on in my mind.  

March 15th, 2014

It was one of the most fun weekends though.  A lot of my friends and my parents came to enjoy the weekend and watch me finish the race.  Originally my dad and my friend Katherine were going to run the race, but both got injured and were not able to have the proper training in time.  So I ran alone.

When I started, I was fine.  How can you be sad running in one of the most beautiful places.  I struggled after a little while though.  It would get hot at times and the wind was intense during some of the race.  I had to put my head down so it wouldn't be hitting my face.  

Once I got out of the Canyon I'll admit, I was not happy.  I had two more miles to go and those two miles were brutal.  I also saw the 2:00 pacer pass by me and I almost cried.  I hate being slow and I hate when I don't reach my personal goals.  One thing I told myself is that I would never let my time get over 2 hours.  I set that when I ran my first half marathon and was 51 seconds over.  When I saw that pacer though, my motivation was shot.

I just wanted to finish.

I did finish.  And I was not happy.  I knew all my friends were there.  And I knew I had disappointed myself. I was embarrassed.  I could hear my friend say "oh she's pissed" as I ran through the finish.  It's true though.  I didn't really want to look at any of them and just kept moving.

Not so happy haha

My time? 2:01

I hated seeing that on the clock.  My chip time wasn't much faster.

I was disappointed, but this race taught me a lot.

1. Make sure that you eat well and that you actually eat.

I didn't have the best diet while training and often that was due to not eating balanced meals.

2. Don't make excuses

I used to never do this.  But I think during training I would not go for a run, but justify that I was okay because I did some sort of other activity that day.

3. You're never too busy to be active

This goes along with no excuses.  Sure I was tired some days and needed a nap, but really I needed a run. 

4. You are how you train

If you push yourself, you'll get better.  If you take it easy, you'll hit a plateau.  

5. You're going to fail once in awhile

And that's okay.  

My amazing support group

So the race wasn't a complete failure.  You can always learn something from every experience.  

To make up for my slow time though, my friends and I hiked through Arches National Park.  It was actually the best thing to do.  I ended up being less sore the next day.  And I felt a little more bad A because I didn't stop after the half marathon.  Haha.  But there were other runners also hiking that day.  Apparently we all just couldn't stop.

Not the best race of my life, but that doesn't mean I'm giving up.  That's not my style.  This race is in the past.  And it's time to run some more. 

3 Nephi 12:47

I need to remember why I run.  Once I get that back, I'll be back in the game.  Trust me.  I'll be back soon.

Runaway Girl

 

 Tiegan Hatch
Bib # 1701
Age Group: Femail 20-24
Final Time: 2:02.57
Chip Time: 2:01.43
Overall Rank: 1150/2926
Class Rank: 45/127
Sex Rank: 471/1728