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Show Wist enttnel A10 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010 Guardian of Your Community News Courtesy photos EXTRA MILES: Pictured, above left, are local marathoners Amy Vellinga and Vanessa Heber. Pictured, above right, Christina Pearson and Kristi Adams finish a race together. Local moms enjoy doing marathons Christina Pearson Spanish Fork is still sleeping when her alarm goes off at 4 a.m. Vanessa Heber, mother of four, doesn't hesitate to climb out of bed at the early hour. It has become habit. She gets ready and will be one of the first patrons to enter Gold's Gym that morning. Vanessa wasn't always a marathoner. She started out jogging in college with her sister. Three miles were considered an accomplishment. Now, she runs 12 miles three times each week. Vanessa's average workout is two hours each day. She completes her week with a long run (two to three hours) each Saturday. Vanessa transformed into a mommy marathoner because of her friend. "Amy talked me into running the Top of Utah marathon," said Vanessa. "She told me how many miles we were going to run. When we were done with the long runs it was like yes! I've reached another milestone." Vanessa's friend Amy Vellinga, mother of three, is no stranger to endurance races. A veteran of triath- lons, she was motivated to run her first marathon when she met her future husband. "When we met he was a marathoner and I was a triathlete so we tried each other's sport. He'd run a few marathons and wanted me to try it. And now, I like running more and he likes triathlons more." Kristi Adams, mother of three, enjoys training for and competing in marathons. She said, "It's setting a goal and having something to work for and being in amazing shape. I love it." Amy likes running mar- athons because of the sense of accomplishment but notes weight loss is an added bonus. She said, "When Tm in my high mileage I get leaner, and who doesn't want that?" Once a runner runs their first marathon, they become hooked. Donna Huffman, mother of six said, "You'd think it'd get boring, but each race is like the first time for me. It's addicting for sure. I love the feeling each time I finish one." Many mothers struggle trying to balance many aspects of family life. Amy understands that, yet, her workouts take priority. She said, "I think it makes a world of a difference as a mom because you need an out and that is my out. It keeps you feeling good about yourself because you're staying in shape. You have more patience with your kids." Vanessa thinks through her day as she runs. She said, "When I come home I'm ready to be a mom and I'm ready to give them my undivided attention." Kristi enjoys being able to play with her children. "I can keep up with my kids and play with them. I like going to the park and running around with them and I don't get winded." For those wanting to break into the marathoning world, these moms have pearls of wisdom. Vanessa recommends picking a marathon and signing up. Then print off a schedule. She said, "Write your daily runs on the calendar and start ticking it off and you'll see yourself getting closer to your goal." Donna warns not to do too much too quickly. She said. "My whole motto is to start out slow." SFHS Swimming Courtesy photo TOP FINISHERS: Pictured, front row, left to right, are C.Sorensen, B.Ashworth, T.Cooper and C.Thorpe; back row, Fraley, L.Carter, J.Bowden, I.Parrish, Barron. Jr. high wrestlers do well at state Bill Barron DFJH COACH Courtesy photo REGION MEET: Region Swimming was held Jan. 22-23 in Vernal. The swim team has been working nearly every day these past few months, since last August in fact, in preparation for this meet. Region was the last-ditch chance to drop race times down to qualify for state. Kaley Thomas dropped two seconds off her personal 100 yard race. When the water cleared and the scores were tallied, Bonny Dowiing placed first in both of her events, the 200 IM and the 100 Fly. Jesse Roberts placed first in the 100 Back and second in the 200 IM. Holly Christensen placed second in the 200 free and the 500 free. Dallin Parkinson placed second in the 100 fly. State swimming will be Feb. 5-6 at BYU. By Colby Bellows. On Jan. 28-29, Roy High School hosted the 4A/5A Utah Junior High and Middle School Wrestling Championships. The community of Spanish Fork was well represented in the combined team of Spanish and Diamond Fork Jr. Highs. In the junior high division, six of 12 earned state places, led by four-time state champion, Branson Ashworth. Nine athletes from Spanish Fork competed in the 5th-7th grade middle school division, with seven place-winners led by state champion Legend Carter. In the team standings, Nebo Schools headed up 26 teams in both divisions. In the junior high meet, the Champions Club (Mapleton-Springville) amassed 414.5 points to repeat as state team champions, followed by Payson-Mt.Nebo in second place (3325), with Spanish Fork wrestlers earning 118.5 points to finish ninth. In the middle school tourney, Payson (245) came out on lop followed by runner-up Champions (210) and Spanish Fork in 8th with 134. Experienced wrestlers See JR H I G H - A * |