New Equipment

I forgot to mention the new running equipment Tom went out and got.

Now runners know that you're gonna go through shoes. Quickly if you track on the mileage. I believe shoes are good for 300-500 miles. Well my dad thought his old running shoes had seen their last mile so he headed to Striders to find out what his next foot friend would be. My dad is concerned about his knees and the sales guy said that the Hoka One One's are the way to. Now let me tell ya that these puppies are some SHOES. The first time I saw them I busted up laughing. He had warned me they look like moon boots. Truly. I thought he was going to fly to the moon and walk around. The soles on these things are so thick. Supposedly they are the newest technology in running shoes and saving knees. I haven't read up on them so I can't confirm. But today we went running on the treadmills at a local gym and I turned and happened to catch a glimpse of his shoes (how can you not with the bright colors) and I started laughing. He asked what I was laughing about and I told him his shoes made his feet look huge on him. He said, "ahhh Brandy, but these things are like running on marshmallows."

Glad he likes 'em!

Magazine ranks Ogden race in top 10

A mass start of approximately 1,500 runners leaves the starting line seven miles east of Huntsville at 6:30 a.m. during the 2002 Ogden Marathon and 5K run.
(Photo credit: Standard-Examiner file photo)

Story by Jeff DeMoss
Standard-Examiner staff

OGDEN — Thinking about trying your first marathon? You’re in the right place, or at least close enough.

The Ogden Marathon is one of the 10 best in the nation for first-time marathoners, according to Runner’s World, a leading magazine for runners.

In its January 2011 issue, Runner’s World lavishes praise upon the varied scenery and relative ease of the annual race, which begins in Ogden Valley and descends more than 1,000 feet through Ogden Canyon before ending downtown at the 26.2-mile mark.

“Ask any veteran marathoner to choose the most scenic race in America, and you’ll hear Big Sur (California) or Mount Desert Island (Maine),” the article reads. “But Ogden has one up on both of them: Its gorgeous views don’t come with epic climbs.”

The article looked at marathons that best cover the essential needs for a runner making his or her marathon debut, selecting 10 out of nearly 400 held in the United States every year. Rankings were based upon excellent organization, a likely chance of good weather, a well-marked course, fan-friendly atmosphere and being well-staffed.

The most recent mention marks the second consecutive year that Runner’s World has included Ogden in its annual rankings. The Ogden Marathon has achieved international prestige in and of itself, but it also helps that the race serves as a qualifier for the famous Boston Marathon.

While the Ogden Marathon was also noted for its lack of dense crowds, the rankings did not exclude events based on number of participants. The races on the list ranged from the New York City Marathon, the nation’s largest with about 43,000 runners, to the 2,400-person Napa Valley Marathon in California.

Jennifer Stockard, executive director of the GOAL Foundation, the local nonprofit organization that stages the marathon, said the recognition “can be attributed to the wonderful, dedicated volunteers in our community that help produce this world-class event.

“The marathon would not be a success without them,” Stockard said.

The popularity of the Ogden Marathon, sponsored by Zions Bank, has grown steadily since its debut in 2001, when it drew 880 participants. Next year’s 11th annual event reached its capacity of 5,700, including 3,000 full marathoners, within 15 days.

The marathon also reached a milestone for next year by drawing registrants from all 50 states for the first time. In addition to a nationwide representation, the 2011 race will feature runners from 13 countries.

The Ogden Marathon is a spring event, with the 2011 race scheduled for May 21. In conjunction with the event, Union Station will host a Fun and Fitness Expo on May 20 featuring various health and fitness organizations.

The full marathon begins in Hunstville, working its way through Eden and around Pineview Reservoir. Runners finish on Historic 25th Street by way of Ogden Canyon. The finish-line festival boasts live bands and a beer garden, along with smoothies, fresh-baked bread, fruit, and Creamsicles.

While the full and half marathon races filled up quickly, there are still some spots available for team registration, as well as the Kimberly-Clark 5K and the KidsK races. For more information, visit www.ogdenmarathon.com, call 801-629-8646 or e-mail ogdenmarathon@goalfoundation.com.

Top 10 U.S. marathons for first-timers / Race # of marathoners

ING New York City Marathon 43,000

Marine Corps Marathon (Washington, D.C.) 30,000

Flying Pig Marathon (Cincinnati) 16,000

Walt Disney World Marathon (Orlando) 15,000

Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon (Phoenix) 8,000

Portland Marathon (Portland, Ore.) 8,000

Ogden Marathon (Ogden, Utah) 3,000

Fargo Marathon (Fargo, N.D.) 2,500

Steamtown Marathon (Scranton, Pa.) 2,500

Napa Valley Marathon (Napa, Calif.) 2,400

Missed Run

So this past week we were SUPPOSED to run 9 miles. We were all set to run on Christmas Eve morning. The weather was PeRfEcT! I for one felt great. I had exercised all week and felt ready for this distance. I was even looking forward to it. So why you might ask did this run not happen? Well my dad decided to get sick the day before our scheduled run. OK, well maybe he didn't decide to get sick, but he did. We were both bummed but thought we could maybe run Christmas afternoon. Well that didn't happen either. As I am typing this, my dad is still sick. Nothing major. Just a cold. But we don't want to risk it getting worse by going out and running. Coughing always gets worse when you exercise. So we decided that we will have to hit it hard this coming weekend. We are supposed to only run 4 miles this coming weekend but instead the plan is we will run the 5-miler on Friday that Striders is putting on and then we will do the 9 miles the next day. We will see how it goes.

But on the fun side of things...I got some really cool running gear for Christmas and I just want to show them off.

First, my parents gave me an iPod Shuffle. So excited for this. I have been running with a regular sized iPod in an armband, which was fine for a few years but now is just a pain. After so many miles the armband starts to slip and just gets uncomfortable. Not sure why this is a problem because before iPods were invented I was running with a ginormous cd player in a fanny pack type of belt! With the shuffle I can just clip it on my clothes and go. It is super light and easy to use. Perfect for running.

This next running goody came from my hubby. It is the Garmin Forerunner 305. I have had my eye on this thing for a few months now. My brother in law has one and we actually gave one to my dad as an early Christmas gift. This thing calculates your pace, time, distance, calories, etc. I have a different running watch but it is really hard to use and doesn't do nearly as much as this new one. The Garmin is easy to use and figure out. I don't have a lot of time to figure out new gadgets so "easy" is definitely a huge plus. Garmin did come out with a Forerunner 405 but the reviews are less than great. I even have a few friends with the new 405 that have had issues so I was all about sticking with the older version. I can't wait to try this out this week!

3.7 mile run around McKay Dee

Today our long run was a nice 3 miler but we stepped it up a bit and did 3.7. ooooh I know. We really pushed ourselves. :)

We ran from my parent's house to the McKay Dee Hospital trail and ran around it twice and then back to my parent's house. My sister Cami started out with us but only ran around once and then headed back. She's just getting back into running.

Before we started the run my dad said, "Brandy, you are going to like this trail." This might have been true had I actually been able to lift up my head and enjoy some scenery. I had to run the entire thing with my head down so I could watch out for slick snow and mud puddles. Normally I hate running around something twice. I need new things to look at to keep my mind off the fact that I am running. But this time it didn't bother me because I didn't see one thing except snow, mud, dirt, mud, snow, repeat! I didn't know I was going to run an obstacle course.

Actually it was a nice trail. Or I imagine it is. Mostly flat but we did hit hills on the roads from my parent's house and back. It was slightly raining too, but I don't mind this because it was warm enough.

**STATS**
Distance: 3.7 miles
Time: 39:54
Pace: 10:47/min/mile
Temperature: 45 degrees
Time of day: 1:00 p.m.

Ogden Airport AGAIN

We ran at the airport for one more long run but after that I told my dad I need new scenery. The airport is a perfect run because of the gradual, long hills but I just can't look at the same circle again. We extended the circle to make it the distance we needed but we still had to double some of the run, which I hate. My mom came to do some running as well. She is doing so good. I think she ran just over 4 miles.

Our run was awesome! We finished strong and felt great afterwards. I remember my dad being nervous about running just 4 miles and now he just whipped out 7.7 like it was nothing. Running is truly mental just as much as it is physical. Speaking of nervous though, when I arrived at the airport my dad made me get in the car with him and my mom and then started driving. I asked what he was doing and he said he wanted to drive the route again. I asked why because we had already done that the time before and I had the mile markers written on a piece of paper in my pocket. There was no reason to drive the route. Then he said he wanted to show my mom where to run. Well she didn't care because she knew where she was going to run. He finally admitted that he was stalling because he was nervous. So funny. He didn't have anything to be nervous about because he ran strong. The only thing that could have improved the run was that we were both overdressed. It always seems so cold but then once you get running it always gets warm.

**STATS**
Distance: 7.7 miles
Time: 1:17:01
Pace: 10:00/min/mile
Temperature: 41 degrees
Time of day: 10:00 a.m.

My mom snapped some pictures of us as we were running

Weber State Skyline Run

Today our long run was really a short run. We decided to run the grueling hills at Weber State University. We like this route because of the hills but afterwards decided that the roads were taking a toll on our knees so we will be moving on. The roads are too crowned and it feels like you are running on a slant. Anyways...today we went kind of late. By the time my dad got his running watch figured out (it only took 3 false starts) it was completely dark. Do you think we were prepared to run in the dark? No way. That wouldn't be our style. Of course we were in dark colors and didn't have any form of lights on us. It wouldn't be an adventure otherwise. As we were running up Skyline Dr we were careful to jump out of the way of oncoming cars.

Overall it was a great run. We didn't stop to walk once, which is really good for us on these hills!

**STATS**
Distance: 3.38 miles
Time: 35:42
Pace: 10:33/min/mile
Temperature: 39 degrees
Time of day: 5:21 p.m.

Here is Techno Tom trying to figure out his new Garmin. Geez it took 3 false starts at the beginning just to get the thing running and then we were scared to touch anything in fear of losing the tracking information!

Geez. Glad I took great pictures of my dad but once he gets the camera he can't take a good picture to save his life! I looked smokin' in my mom's running gear too!

Santa Run = Long Run

This week our training schedule had us back off the mileage and called for a short 2.5 miler. Perfect timing because when I saw an advertisement for the Ogden Santa Run I knew I had to throw on a suit and have a jolly ole time running as a Santa. Good times.

OK It was bitterly cold, until we started running, but it was so fun. We weren't really prepared with the outfits though. We wore what they provided, which was nothing more than a few pieces of red felt thrown together. I soon discovered my suit was not going to be fun to run in, not with the holes and all. They were so stretched out that I had to run holding them up the entire time. Not to mention that I carried a sack full of candy to throw at the kids watching the run. So I basically ran with no arm movement. My dad had one heck of a time with his suit too. His jacket kept falling off. It was so funny. We were running down the street and all of a sudden he yells at me, "Did my jacket just fall off?" It didn't but needless to say we were both distracted with all the costume malfunctions that running was more of a workout than it should have been. But having said that, we are already planning on next year's run. We already know what we will change in our big red suits to make it a more festive -and comfortable- run. :)

**STATS**
Distance: 3.1 miles
Time: 27:37.2
Pace: 8:54/min/mile
Temperature: 27 degrees
Time of day: 4:30 p.m.

The running crew included me, mom, dad, cousin Cari, and Aunt Jodi

My dad made me put on the dreaded beard that kept getting in my mouth and eyes

My mom ran in with Ava, Gage & Landen

6 Miles at Ogden Airport

This morning we hit the Ogden Airport pavement for our 6-mile long run. We were seriously lucky because it was snowing before our run, quit snowing long enough for us to run, and then started up again for the rest of the day. The temperature was cold but perfect for this long run. I ended up regretting wearing my track suit over my running pants and stuffed my gloves in my pockets.

Our run was good. We both said we felt good afterwards. I think my dad felt better than I did because I wasn't telling him to remember to breath as much as I usually do, but I also wasn't my usual chatty self. I just hate the beginning of a run. During the first mile or so your body, or at least my body, is so stiff and achy and my breathing seems so fast and hard. My dad said it felt like he was pulling anchors. Once my body gets past all this I finally find a rhythm and my breathing slows down and it actually feels good to run. Today was no different but I don't think I could have ran much farther than the 6 miles. My body didn't hurt or anything but it just felt tired. This past week I didn't do much training. OK OK I didn't run at all. I lost my voice at the beginning of the week and then I have a nasty cough. I did do a workout video though. Jillian Michaels kicked my butt. Does that count? My dad only ran once this past week but he seemed to be fine. I am going to blame my cough for my blah mood.

**STATS**
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 1:01:50
Pace: 10:18/min/mile

Temperature: 37 degrees

Time of day: 10:00 a.m.

I look like I am going to die because I couldn't stop coughing after our run

Drinkin' his water and vinegar mix to "rejuvenate"

Daddy Daughter Team

Ogden Marathon Sells Out in a Hurry

by: Chris J. Miller of the Standard Examiner

You snooze you lose.

Can you believe it's been 11 years since the Ogden Marathon began taking registration for its first race? Now, the popular Top of Utah race is overflowing with praise for its course, its volunteers and its entries.

Wednesday, the GOAL Foundation announced the 2011 Zion's Bank Ogden Marathon was officially closed. The half marathon sold out in just five days, while the full marathon following in only 14 days.

Registration opened Oct. 1 and reached its 5,700-runner capacity 14 days later.

Organizers say there are spots still available for team registration, the Kimberly-Clark 5K and the KidsK. For information, visit www.ogdenmarathon.com

5-Miler in the rain

Nothing like a little rain to keep you cold and wet! We ran around the Ogden Airport today. There was the perfect balance of flat and hills and not too many cars to worry about. And actually the weather wasn't that bad. I know it is going to get A LOT colder. I had my ear warmers on (what are those things called anyways? they aren't still called earmuffs are they?) along with some nice, plush gloves. We were warm during the run and didn't start freezing until we got out of the car to get our picture taken! That is when the sweat met the cold air and sent us both into the shivers. brrr. I ran straight for the fireplace. We both ran pretty well. I think I was feeling better than my dad. This week I didn't stuff my face full of m&ms the night before like I did last week. This time it was my dad regretting his meal from the night before....hot chicken wings and 2 pitures of beer! Hopefully we will learn sooner rather than later that it doesn't pay to have a stomach full of crap.

**STATS**

Distance: 5 miles

Time: 49:37.1

Pace: 9:55/min/mile

My dad insists on doing the "2 & 6" with our fingers

2nd Long Run

Today we ran around the streets of West Point City. Mostly flat. It wasn't too cold. Actually it was perfect running weather. My mom did awesome and was only a short distance behind us. It was a good run and we all felt great afterwards. I should mention it was a heavy start for me. Those dang m&ms I ate the night before were laughing at me as I tried to shake off the heavy stomach feeling. Seriously. When will I learn!

**STATS**

Distance: 4.3 miles

Time: 41:48

Pace: 9:43/min/mile

We got our 26 right this time

Here we go....

We're off. Our first official long run was today. It was a mighty 3.1. But it was hill running! We ran around Weber State University. It was cold. We ran with my mom and a friend. Hills suck. Great for training but bad on the knees!

**STATS**

Distance: 3.1 miles

Time: 33:00

Pace: 10:38/min/mile

Pre-training Run

We went out and ran 3.1 today. We wanted to see if we could really run with each other. Just kidding. This was our pre-training run. Before starting the Jeff Galloway training schedule they recommend you run at least 3 miles.

**STATS**

Distance: 3.1 miles

Time: 31:28

Pace: 10:09/min/mile

No, we aren't running 62 miles. Yes, we know our 26 is backwards. We are dorky like that. I wonder if we will look so smiley after a 20-mile run?!

Honestly!!

What was I thinking??? I signed up for the Ogden Marathon. The FULL marathon. Again! I swore I would never run another marathon again and here I am doing it. OK So 8 years will have passed since my last marathon so maybe it is like childbirth and I have forgotten. Wait, nope, that isn't true. I remember every painful moment of both childbirth and running a marathon.

I remember being nauseous and throwing up after every run that was longer than 20 miles. I remember having to get up super early on Saturdays to do the Long Run. I remember sleeping an entire day away after these long runs. I remember having to drive around town just to find a suitable 23-mile route and placing water bottles along the way. I remember calling Jeremy and Mike (Bair. Shay, my sis-in-law ran it with me) to bring us supplies while we were out there trudging along. I remember having "nervous poo" before each long run. Geez, don't be grossed out. It happens to a lot of people. I had all the bathroom locations memorized. I remember running in freezing temperatures. More than one time we came home soaking wet from the snow.

So here I am again, finding myself signed up for the Ogden Marathon...an intimidating, yet exciting, if I finish, 26.2-mile run. I never say race because let's face it, I am never going to win anything.

Why you ask did I sign up for a marathon if I swore I would never do one again? Well, OK, so maybe there is a part of me that has forgotten all the hard work and time it takes to train for such a run. Another part of me really wants to know if I can do it again and beat my previous time of 4:48:55. I would be ecstatic to come in under 4:30 this time. As much as I hate running, and I really mean hate, it is addictive. It is self gratifying to see how much you can push yourself and see how far you can run. Another big reason I chose this year to run this particular marathon? My dad signed up.

It has always been on my dad's "bucket list" to run a marathon. He was so proud and shocked (my family wouldn't consider me an athlete and neither would i) when I ran one years ago and said he has always wanted to do it. So about a month ago he surprised us kids with the knowledge he had signed up for the full marathon. After I got over my shock, I said I was sad because I would love to run it with him but didn't think I could. There were many reasons I didn't think I could. It was already sold out for one. I now have 3 kids and can't just come home after a long run and sleep the day away. I don't have Jeremy's physical support like I did before. Because he is so busy with work there is no guarantee he will be around. But after talking it over with my mom and dad we decided I should do it anyways. So my dad signed me up under the VIP Marathon (it is a much higher entry fee but it is a donation to a foundation) and my mom committed to helping with the kids on long run days when Jeremy isn't around. I thought this was perfect motivation. I want to do well because it is their money and my mom's time that I am wasting if I don't take this seriously.

Another good reason to choose the Ogden Marathon is because a lot of Zampedri family members are also running. My brother-in-law Mike Merrill is running the full. The following people are running the half: My mom, my brother Todd, Aunt Jodi, Aunt Kathy, Aunt Sue, Cousin Megan, Cousin Andy, and Cousin Cari. Running the 5k is my cousins Melissa and Kortney. I think there might even be family members running the relay.

So here I go. I am going to try hard to do all the training runs that are recommended on the training program we are following. We are following the Jeff Galloway training method. I am going to try to eat better so that my running can be more efficient. Hopefully this will all pay off. Last time I didn't take training all that serious and only ran the long runs on the weekend and never really trained during the week. I also didn't eat the best. I really need to work on that part.

So folks, this blog is documentation of the journey we are just beginning. Hopefully you won't find me cursing this decision....well I am sure I will...but hopefully when the time comes to cover some serious mileage I will just think about the hard work paying off with the huge accomplishment of running 26.2 miles with my dad! Ugh! I get nervous just thinking about it.