Running Club

I was spotlighted by the Saint George Running Club - thought I'd share my story here as well. 

This week we are spotlighting Maria Jacobson Bradleysmile emoticon
Maria has been running with the Running Club for a few years now. It has been so fun to see her grow with running, strength, and confidence!!! Everyone loves running with Maria, it is a real joy to share the dirt or pavement with her!
1. What is your running story?
My older brother talked me into running on the cross country team as a 9th grader. That didn’t go so well at first, but by the time I was a junior, I had found my legs. I did cross country and track in high school and I loved it. When I went to college, I ran occasionally and just for fun. After I had my first child in 2003, I wanted a way to get back in shape, so I took up running again. I bought a running stroller and logged quite a few miles because I had signed up for my very first marathon (I bought a bike odometer for it and I clocked over 1,000 miles). After I ran the 2004 Top of Utah Marathon, I decided that I was going to do a marathon for each child I had– and I made it a commitment to myself. I did pretty well on my second marathon, 2015 Top of Utah. I did it in 4 hours and 12 minutes. Afterwards I set a goal to beat that 4 hour mark. By the time my third child came around, I was a little heavier, and a little more out of shape. I signed up for the Saint George Marathon, but didn’t train. My husband and I decided to run it anyhow, because we were just out of college and we’d spent money on a race when we should have been buying, you know, diapers or food! So we were determined to get our money’s worth. We drove from Logan to Saint George, ran a tough race finishing just 3 minutes shy of 5 hours. I never wanted to run another marathon in my life. I was done. I remember crying uncontrollably at mile 20 and wondering why in the world would I do this to myself. It was the hardest race I had ever done.
At this point I fell away from distance running. I went back to running 2-3 miles at a time at a slow pace and just racing in local 5k’s. I needed to find the joy in running again, because it had become work. I gained quite a bit of weight struggling with a miscarriage and having our fourth child. By the time I had our fourth child, I was struggling with depression and two months after he was born, my husband, Chris, took a new job in Saint George. We moved away from friends and family and started a new adventure.
In 2013 I tried to start running again, but I wasn’t as fast as I once was. I was running a 12-15 minute mile, and to me that was discouraging. I felt stuck here and wondered if my running days were done. My husband worked with a running club member - Michael Gaylard - who talked him into joining the Saint George running club. My husband thought I would really love joining as well. I went twice, but he had to drag me there – and then I gave up. I wasn’t fast enough. I felt inferior. I’m competitive and I couldn’t compete. It was too frustrating to me at this point in my life. But I did keep jogging on my own. And I was able to log 300 miles for the year.
In the back of my mind was that promise I made to myself that I would run a marathon for each child I had. I still had to run one more marathon. But I was really struggling with finding the desire to run one. I knew I wouldn’t be able to motivate myself to run. When 2014 rolled around, I made a goal to run a half marathon. Chris finally talked me into trying the running club again. I was still really uncomfortable in my own skin, but this time, I had a goal, and I stuck with it. I was determined not to compare myself to all of the fast runners and to keep coming.
Running with the Saint George Running club on a consistent basis was my turning point. When I finally overcame my fear of running with “good” runners, I realized they weren’t so different than I was. They weren’t judging me, or making fun of me. They were just there to run. They were there to support each other. I soon had friends who motivated me to keep coming, to keep pushing and to keep running. I love to hear stories and chit chat with whomever I run with, it really made running fun again. I’d forgotten how fun it could be!
In August of 2014 I drastically changed my diet in an effort to take control of my depression and weight. By October 2014, I had spent the year training with Chris – he was training for the marathon and I for the half marathon and I was wishing I had signed up for that marathon. It was the first time since 2007 that I had felt that fire of desire to run. I only logged 500 miles in 2014, but it felt like I couldn’t be stopped.
When 2015 hit, I was a different person. I couldn’t wait for the running club to start in January. This was the year I was going to get that fourth marathon in. I lost some weight and I was feeling unstoppable. I ran the Red Mountain 50K, Zion 50K, Speedgoat 50K, a few half marathons, and I also nailed my Saint George Marathon goal. I finally beat 4 hours! I logged 1370 miles and started to love running and competing again.
I can’t wait to see what 2016 and beyond holds in store for me.

2. Finish this sentence... I love running because...
When I lace up my shoes I become a different person. When I am out on a run I let go of my worries. I relax. I breathe and I become one with whatever is around me. If I’m with other runners I love to listen and talk. If I’m alone I love to soak in the energy that nature gives me. I find that every run I go on is an experience. I never tire of being outside with people I love and the beauty I admire. I rarely listen to music because I find that I miss out on too much. It’s easier to listen to my body and to train my thoughts without it. When I’m running, I am Maria, and that’s it. I love that feeling of freedom. It makes me a better mom, and a better wife when I get home. It clears my mind, and often becomes a spiritual journey as well.

3. What running accomplishment are you most proud of?
2015 Saint George Marathon. My goal was to beat 4 hours, but with a little encouragement from my running club friends and a time sheet from Steve Hooper (and multitudes of encouragement and confidence), I decided to shoot for 3 hours and 30 minutes. I almost gave up at mile 20 – a lot of baggage was still left there from my 2007 marathon – but I dug deep and kept moving. I came in at 3 hours and 33 minutes and qualified for Boston. This is something I never dreamed I would be able to accomplish. And I couldn’t have done it without my Running Club friends.

4. What advice would you give someone that wants to start running but doesn't know where to begin?
Starting anything new is tough. Change is hard. Starting something you aren’t familiar with is a big accomplishment. Allow yourself the opportunity to learn, to fail, and to change.
When I picked up trail running in 2014 I bought my first trail shoes – Altra Lone Peaks. I fell in love with them – but I didn’t know they were meant only for trails. I wore them on every run – road and trail alike. I couldn’t figure out why they were wearing out so fast, until I asked a seasoned trail runner. She was super kind and taught me about shoes. Be open to learning!
• Be willing to ask questions – ask lots of questions! Ask more than one person the same question. Get answers from anyone who will talk to you. I especially recommend getting answers from runners you want to be like. Don’t be afraid to ask. Seasoned runners take their knowledge for granted and don’t always remember what it is like to be new. Just ask – it will jog lots of memories! And you will benefit from it.
• Don’t compare yourself to others. Your fast mile might be 10 minutes. Someone else may be running a 5 minute mile. It doesn’t matter. Compete with yourself, it’s the only way to be happy. Believe me, I’ve been there!
• Find someone to run with. Whether it’s a friend, or a group, it doesn’t matter. Run with other people. It will give you motivation, encouragement and accountability. I love running with the club because I know I won’t be alone and I’ll have someone to talk to, even if it’s only during the warm up. Preferably run with someone who has the same goals as you do – it’s amazing how motivating it can be.
• Be consistent. That doesn’t mean run every day, that means create a schedule that fits you and stick with it.
• Don’t let your fear hold you back. Try a new run, a new distance, try the trails, try keeping up with someone faster. These are all fears I have faced, and I imagine most runners face. Sometimes I fail, but sometimes I surprise myself. You won’t know if you don’t try.

5. Favorite non running activity?
Art. I love to create beauty. Currently I am working with watercolors and photography. I love to capture the majesty of the Southern Utah landscape I live in. And I am intrigued with portraits, in any medium.

it's been a while....

 I haven't posted anything in so long, I've almost forgotten how to do this! I've gotten used to posting a pic here and there on facebook with a quick update on what's going on. But I do miss the blog and the ability to capture moments of time that have changed me.

So - here's a big one.

This year I've really faced my fears of failure and I've gone all out in running. I have worked so hard on my goals this year.  I've finished the Red Mountain 50k, Zion 50k, SpeedGoat 50K, Southern Utah Half Marathon and now, the Saint George Marathon.  I've already put in over 1000 miles of running this year alone. I have NEVER put that much mileage in!

I joined the Saint George Running Club hosted by Steve and Kendra Hooper - and it changed me. It literally changed who I am and how I look at myself as a runner.  As I've spent the year running with such incredible and talented people, I have pushed myself to become more like them. It gave me hope of accomplishing something greater than I've ever dreamed. Knowing there would be a group of people to run with, I got out of bed Tuesday's, Thursday's and Saturdays in anticipation of being with them. I found the excitement in running again. I found the joy of pushing hard, sweating, and doing the best I can. I had a LOT of fun talking, solving problems and conversing about food choices. It has been the best running year of my life. I don't want it to end!

 When I signed up for the marathon at the beginning of the year, my goal was just to beat 4 hours. But as the marathon drew closer, I realized that I could maybe do better than I imagined. I wasn't sure, so I asked the running club leader - Steve. He believed in me, and helped me map out a plan to run a 3 and half hour marathon. I knew I was crazy...and I knew it was a long shot... but I just HAD to TRY.

I followed my race pace as best I could - sometimes going a few seconds faster or slower, but I was right on pace up until mile 23. At that point my mind started taking over. It kept telling me that I would never finish - this was too big of a feat to achieve. I believed it for a few miles as I tried to keep going, but I kept slowing down. With one mile to go... I did stop. I walked. I was so close to the finish line, but my mind kept saying I wasn't going to make the 3:30 mark, so why keep trying? Can you believe that for a moment I let that take over my entire race. My entire 25 previous on target miles were almost thwarted by that LAST overwhelming mile. I almost gave up. I wanted to - that's for sure!  But someone in the crowd called out my name and said, "keep going, Maria," I didn't recognize him - maybe I should have? Maybe he wasn't even calling out to me and I just heard what I needed to hear? Whoever it was - thank you... it snapped me back into the race and I told myself I could jog. Maybe I didn't have enough left in me to run, but I could jog. I could't quit. And yes, maybe I wouldn't hit the 3:30 goal...but I was going to come as close as possible to it!

And just like that I started jogging again. That last mile felt more like 10. I tried not to think of anything. I just tried to put one foot in front of the other. Just as I had taken the entire marathon one mile at a time, the last mile I took one step at a time.. just focusing on not stopping.

And then... there it was - the finish. I didn't sprint to the end, but I did jog...and do you know, I made it! I made it to the end! :)

3 hours 32 minutes and 56 seconds.

My fastest time by far... and I'm just so happy I didn't quit. I would have been so upset with myself for quitting. I would have been so frustrated to give up 25 miles of hard work to loose all of it in the last mile.

I'm not done running... I have dreams. I'm ready to take on this new adventure!


Chris had his own adventure. He came in at 4;09.

Eagle Crags

We took a sunset hike to Eagle Crags near Rockville. We needed to get out of the house! I love how beautiful the cactus flowers are in spring!

 I also took my race bib number so I could get credit towards my next ultra race :)  10% off just for hiking to places in the area of the race - I'll take it!

 The hike was really beautiful.  Always amazing views!

 The cactus in the spring are beyond beautiful.

 Sunset on the Eagle Crags

 My and my hubby - what a handsome man he is!

 Just me. I don't often get pictures - so it's fun sometimes to see that I really am at all these places with my family! :)

Our little troopers.  I think it's time to ditch the baby backpack.  Ethan does NOT want to sit in it anymore - he wants to be out hiking and climbing and digging in the dirt. He is growing up so fast.

 My cute little Andrew...who talked the WHOLE entire HIKE!!!

 Hiking Bradley Family... Oh I love Southern Utah! I LOVE it here.

Anti- Inflammatory

216 days ago I started a journey that has drastically changed my life. I haven't shared what I've been doing with many people, mostly out of fear - fear that I would fail and that everyone would know how weak I am. After more than six months, I'm finally starting to feel like it's safe to open up to people, to be vulnerable even though it scares me. After all - this is my year to face my fears.

After a miscarriage, 2 stressful moves, and going through some stressful job changes over the last 3 years I found that all of my bottled feelings were starting to show physically. My hair was coming out in clumps. My natural curl was disappearing, I had horrible headaches, my nails were brittle, my feet hurt, my brain wasn't working (I often had to rely on Chris because I couldn't even remember details from my own life), I felt tired all of the time, I cried a LOT and every mole hill was Mount Everest. And worst of all, I was angry all of the time. It didn't matter what my children did - I felt angry. I felt like a horrible mother. I didn't know how to control it. I would try to hold my anger in, and I would do ok for a while and then EXPLODE! I prayed and prayed for help - and I tried so hard to do better, but I just couldn't figure out what to do. I felt broken.

In September of 2014, I was at the end of my rope. I was having very scary negative thoughts. I felt like I had nothing to live for. My husband, sister and my mom were trying to reach out to me and I couldn't let them in. I was too afraid. I felt like I had to face this alone. Nothing was wrong with me - I'd been to a few doctors and my blood work said I was fine. But I wasn't telling them what was going on in my head - I didn't feel like doctors really cared anyhow. I couldn't tell anyone.

I heard an ad on the radio about Red River Health. Finally after about two weeks of hearing the ad every single day I told my sister about it. She encouraged me to give it a try. I was so nervous. I didn't want another doctor to tell me that nothing was wrong with me. I just wanted someone to believe that I didn't feel good, even though my blood work said I should feel fine. My sister gave me the courage to call - and held me to it. I wanted to back out as soon as I made the initial call, I was so scared.

Dr. Swindlehurst listened, did blood work and then put me on an anti-inflammatory diet. Taking out all comfort foods like dairy, gluten, sugar, pork, soy, beef, potatoes and even tomatoes. I honestly didn't know if I could do it at first. It was all so overwhelming, but I decided to give it a try and do one day at a time. I found that as I planned out my week of meals, I started to succeed. I kept a food journal and I learned so much about myself and how my body reacts to certain foods.

I don't restrict the amount of food I eat, only WHAT food I eat. I have never gone hungry - I promise! I eat way more than I used to!

Don’t get me wrong – I’m not a perfect mom now. And I still have bad days. And I don’t ever plan on being 100% happy every day. But now I function on a more normal level. I handle stress and change in a much healthier way. I am deeply ashamed of where I was. I am ashamed of who I was. But I can’t dwell on that – it doesn't make me a better person. Moving forward and continuing to figure out what foods affect me WILL make me a better person. I hope to be the mother and wife I have always wanted to be and I’m learning to be that person more and more each day. I am learning about my body and its ability or inability to have certain foods. I've slowly started adding foods back into my diet and assessing what reactions I have. Some I've been able to keep, others I've had to say goodbye to for longer. I don’t know how long this process will take, perhaps a lifetime. I've learned that food really affects me, both physically and emotionally. We all have challenges in life and this is just my current challenge. I choose to take this experience and learn from it. I’m just happy to have finally found something that has helped.

And if I can help someone else find the courage to reach out for help, I'm here.

Zion 50k

Zion 50K

6 hours 6 minutes     21st place overall

 On Saturday, April 11th, I ran yet another trail 50K.  This time it was the Zion 50K.

It was a blast!  I ran with some friends from the Saint George Running Club.  Colleen, Ivo, and Heath all kept me going.

Up the hill to Gooseberry. It was pretty steep, but thankfully only about a mile! And every step just gave us a more beautiful view. It was totally worth the journey.

We took so many pictures once we got up to Gooseberry Mesa - it was so gorgeous!  I wish my pictures did it some justice.  I can't wait to get back up there.


I followed along with these three amazing trail runners!Heath, Colleen , and Ivo. It was so fun to laugh, chat and enjoy the views along the way. You learn a lot about people you run with for six hours! AMAZING people right here. I'm so glad I could tag along with them!

I got a nice dirt tan! And are you proud of me... I wore sunblock!!! I feel awesome. Best race I've ever had. I even got a PR! 6:06. No new blisters... The bandaid is covering a wart TMI? Trail running is seriously just a lot of fun! It's hiking and running all rolled into one.

Running

 Chris and I have really gotten into running this year.  We have started exploring the area while trail running. We have loved the many trails.

I went with a group of friends up near Oak Grove Campground to run 15 miles on the trails.  It was awesome!  I loved that the view just kept getting better and better the higher we went.  Each time I looked out, I thought the view just couldn't get any better...and it just kept getting more and more amazing the higher we went.  I thought a lot about how this is like the gospel. The stronger our testimonies, the better the view.  We don't even know what we are missing out on, until we reach that next higher spot and take in the view.


Chris and I often get to go running together.  We go early, early in the morning so that the kids are asleep and Abby doesn't have to babysit too long.

 Some of our favorite trails are out near Santa Clara - Barrel Roll, and Suicidal Tendencies. I love going early.  We take headlamps, and run the trails in the dark - and then we get to enjoy the sunrise - and oh how beautiful they are out here!  I think running at sunrise is like watching the finger of God touch the earth. Everything is at it's peak beauty -it's pure magic.

I love running trails!  Some other favorites we have are Bear Claw Poppy, Chuck Walla and Zen. But - we are always exploring and looking for new places to explore, so I'm sure the list will only grow.

Another perfect day in Zion

 We hiked the Hidden Canyon Trail in Zion with my brother and his family.  We had a great time. It was so fun to see Andrew hike around like a boss. Soon, we won't have to carry any children when we go hiking - now that will be incredible!!!

 Lot's of beautiful scenery on this trail!  The chain part was a bit scary - but all the kids did great!

 Ethan especially loves being outdoors. He could live here!

 Family picture at the hidden arch in Hidden Canyon!

 After Zion, we stopped by Grafton, the Ghost Town just near Rockville.  We had a great time exploring the original homes and farms.

 I especially loved the cemetery.  Oh the stories this place could tell...

 Then we explored another new spot... the CRACK. It's a little off the beaten path - but it sure was a little oasis in the middle of the desert! So lush and green and cool.

 The kids loved hiking around and exploring the area. It was so beautiful.

 It was quite serene. I could sit and read a book here for hours.  Quiet, calm, cool and beautiful.

A day in the life of living in Southern Utah!!!  Oh how I love this place.

Red Cliffs

 We finally made it up to Red Cliffs this spring. Can I just say GORGEOUS!  This oasis is beyond beautiful.

 Eric was crazy enough to jump in the water with his friend.  It was frigid water!  To say the least!!

 It was just a beautiful place to be - so calm and peaceful, even with tons of other people!

We went up with our friends from the ward, the Salmons and Walkers.  We had a little hot dog roast and talked about stories from our past. What an amazing group of people!  I love our ward family!!