TERRIFIED AND EXCITED


     Not sure which I am more terrified of......running 100 miles or delving into the social media world.  I don't Facebook, Tweet or blog and I have never run further that 26.2 miles.  I am excited to challenge them both.
     My running career is fairly short.  I began running a mere 4 years ago.  I had gotten lazy, a little heavy (about 25 pounds)  and unmotivated.  I ran the Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay with some friends in 2008 and enjoyed it enough to sign up for my first half marathon in Moab with Mark in 2009.  Since then I have completed numerous half marathons and 7 full marathons.  Last year was my most challenging endeavor.  I completed the Utah Grand Slam.  I had to finish 4 marathons in 5 months along the Wasatch Front.  I raced Utah Valley, Park City, Top of Utah in Logan, St. George and threw in Salt Lake just for fun.  Road races were cool, but my most enjoyable race that year was the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase.  It is a 16 mile trail run with 3000 ft of elevation gain.  I hit the trail running and have not looked back.  There is something so magical, peaceful and spiritual about running in the mountains.  I love the solitude and being able to let my mind wander.  Kind of a cheap therapy from the everyday rat race.
     I had been toying with the idea of running an ultra for a while but was not sure if I was ready.  At what point do you ever really feel like you are ready to run 100 miles???.......so I went for it and here we are today.  The months leading up to the lottery were filled with excitement, hesitation, regret and flat out nervousness.  I would fall asleep every night dreaming of competing in this race.  Thank goodness both Mark and I had our names drawn.
     My training started this week and it was humbling to say the least.  I had gotten myself into pretty good fighting shape after the Grand Slam last year but how quickly that fades if you do not keep on it day in and day out.  I ran 4 days this week and my gameplan is to focus on hills and more hills to get my leg strength back.  I did numerous "runs" up Mt Olympus.  By runs, I mean power hiking up as fast as possible and running down. I notched 13,000 vertical feet of ascent.  Needless to say, a little sore this week.
     Big thanks to my boy, Mark Robbins for getting me started into this amazing sport and for heavy handing me into the social media world.  If I am not careful, I may be tweeting before long..........don't hold your breath, Phone Guy!!!!  Mark is the only guy I know that updates Facebook status in the middle of runs.
     Lastly, I could not do this without the love and support of my amazing family.  April, Izzy and Dylan have been my biggest fans.  They have been at every race, cheering, crewing, writing inspirational messages on my hands with sharpie and being the best bunch of buddies I could ask for.  I know it will be a long, hard summer but I am so blessed and thankful that your guys are in my corner. XOXO

The Larsen gang at St. George Marathon

Dylan, Luke, Izzy and April