Picture

Hi. I am Natalie. I am Tara's Little Big sister (I am slightly younger, but significantly taller). I live in Utah. I ran with these girls last summer at the Wasatch Back and let me tell you, you are in for a great time with some instant friends.

This is a great time to post a family picture because we just had this one done last week. There are just the three of us: Michael (husband), Natalie (me), and Jack (turned 2 a couple of weeks ago).

Jess, where do you live in Utah? I'm in Lehi. If you're close by, we should do a couple of training runs together. We are in the same van, so I'm sure I'll get to know you.

Hello, My Name is Susan, and I'm Endorphinoholic

I am on team 1 (MOM), Van 2, Runner 12.  I'm that girl who loves to go to the gym, almost always 5 days a week. (I don't know if it's because I truly love working out, or because I get a guaranteed daily break from my kids, which I otherwise wouldn't get with a workaholic and churchaholic husband.  Probably both.)  Although I've been running for about 3 years now, I still consider myself a total novice.  I like to run, but I love to cross-train more.  However, I love to run with this group of girls - it feeds my soul, not just my body! :)  One thing I do love about running is the [almost] immediate positive feedback you get.  If I work hard, I pretty much get immediate results.  There's so much in my life (i.e. parenting) where you don't get much positive feedback (at least not right away, or even in the same decade), so I love that running fills this need for me.  Oh yeah, and it's super helpful in keeping me in a certain-size pant.

Jess: I think we are in the same van, so let me warn you that I am also that girl who gets really, really hyper when I'm tired.  Consider yourself warned.

This is my crew:  husband Fred, son Jared (almost 12), Jenna is 7.5 (those half-years are important!), Lillian is 4 and Meghan will be 2 in April.

I must also add that our super cool teammate Amy B. took this picture!

Jen Crook

Hi, I'm Jen and I am from Layton, Utah. I think I am on Team #1 in Van #1. I am probably the oldest in the crowd (just turned 38) and probably the most beginner too. My hubby Daryl and I have been married almost 18 years. We have 4 kids. BriAnna is almost 16 and I will likely miss her first date for this race. Hopefully Dad will take lots of fun photos. Her birthday is a few days before we leave on the 11th. Jaiden is our only boy and is 13 1/2. Makynlee is almost 9 and Tessa is 5 1/2.

I have never been a runner but have participated in many 5K's over the years and never been too serious about it. Amy B. got me thinking I might be able to do this race and although I have had doubts many times, I am finally coming to terms with the fact that I probably won't die. :) I have not deviated at all in my training since Christmas when I finally got the green light to exercise after a bout with pneumonia. I am now happy to report I can run the whole length of my first/longest leg. We'll see how that translates on the road but it's bound to be a littler easier at such a low elevation. If I could shed my excess 40 pounds I know it would be easier but so far in 6 weeks I have only lost 3 pounds. Maybe by 2012 Wasatch Back, I will finally be lean and mean!

I am super excited and a little overwhelmed to be in everyone's company. Everyone seems super fit and serious about running. I am trying and working hard and I think this will be a good experience for me. It is shaking me right out of my comfort zone for sure. I hope I can learn everyone's name. The photos here is a great idea, although I doubt I will remember everyone. Can't wait to meet everyone in 65 days!

5:45 am run on a February morning

It was Women's Conference for our Stake this Saturday, so Josh offered to let us come with his running club on a very early run so we could still get our workout in. We did mile hill repeats. And as dreadful as it sounds, we actually had a great time! Thanks Josh for a killer workout--I had a runner's high all day long!

Jen took this pic for us on her i-phone so when we're old and gray we can look back and remember that we used to get up at 5:45 on the weekend to run hills. Because we like to. :)


Annette, Susan, Erin, Carrie, Jarrie, Kristin, Jamie, random running club girl, Allison R, Allison B, Tara, and "coach" Josh