Hit and Run 5K 2013 Details

The Hit and Run 5K is a race through an obstacle course that tests your balance, coordination, reflexes, strength, speed, and endurance. You don't want to miss it! This run is being held all over the country, and we are so lucky to have one this close! You definitely won't regret participating in it.

Utah State Fair Park, Salt Lake City, Utah

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Waves start at 9, 9:30, 10, 10:30
Parents and Kids wave at 11

Click here to register.

If you're interested in running this exciting 5K, you can save $10 on your registration by using the promo code found by clicking here.  And when you register, it will ask you to make your own group or choose a group to be in.  My sister and I will be running this race and are in the group called Passion for Running.  If you would like to join our group, feel free to do so. :)

Now doesn't that look like fun?!

Runner of the Week: Kaitlyn Lauritzen

Every week, I will be posting about a runner in Utah Valley.  This week's runner is my friend Kaitlyn Lauritzen.  She started running three years ago because her older brother frequently went running.  This inspired her and she decided to try it out too.  Her mom would often bring her along to the gym, so Kaitlyn had the opportunity to start running on the treadmills there.  Since then, she has been consistent with running several times a week.  She has done about 15 races, five of which were this year.  These included the Freedom Fest 10K race, the 6K scholarship fun run for our high school, two half marathons, and a 17 mile race. 

Lehi Roundup 5K, 2012

Kaitlyn also ran a 5K in the American Fork Canyon.  Her Mom ran it with her and was very supportive.

Kaitlyn and her mom, American Fork Canyon 5K, 2012

Kaitlyn's favorite half marathon she has done was the Thankful 13 on Thanksgiving.  She liked the fact that it was flat, not downhill like some of the previous races she has done.  The runners got to run past part of the lake, which was really enjoyable.  It also wasn't too crowded.  There was enough space for people to run comfortably in their space bubbles instead of running shoulder-to-shoulder for the first couple miles like the AF Canyon Half Marathon. 

American Fork Canyon Half Marathon, 2013

The Freedom Fest 10K this year was another race that Kaitlyn ran.  It was on the 4th of July and looped all around Provo.  The runners got to run down the parade route, which makes it much more memorable.  Thousands of people cheering you on as you run would make a difference, I'm sure.

Freedom Fest 10K, 2013

Kaitlyn ran the Deseret News Classic Half Marathon on Pioneer Day this year.  This race also directs the runners down the parade route, but what makes this race even more unique is that it is the oldest race in Utah.  And Kaitlyn's picture for this great half marathon made it in the newspaper!

Deseret News Classic Half Marathon, 2013 (Kaitlyn is on the far left)

This weekend on September 29th, Kaitlyn will be doing the Remembering Penny Walk/Ride against abuse.  Penny was Kaitlyn's aunt's deaf friend who was killed in her apartment three years ago.  The race is hosted by Sego Lily, Center for the Abused Deaf.  Click the following link if you would like to know more about this event. Remembering Penny Walk/Ride Against Abuse

One thing that Kaitlyn has learned through her running experiences is to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth.  She learned this the hard way... After swallowing a fly!

Some advice Kaitlyn gives to runners is, "Sometimes it hurts, but you gotta suck it up!"  You have to push yourself to achieve your goals and be successful.  Another thing she tells runners is to always stay hydrated and drink a lot of water before running.  However, she suggests not to eat a lot right before running.  Kaitlyn suggests a white bagel and some orange juice because they supply a person with enough energy to run, while at the same time they're not hard to digest.  I am definitely going to try this out next time I go running.  Who's with me?!

Another thing Kaitlyn suggests is don't skip a day that you planned to run.  If you miss one day, you are likely to miss another and another, and you will most likely not achieve your goals.  Keep being persistent and run on!

About Me

My name is Heather Knight, and I'm a 17 year old who loves to run! I have been in love with running since the time I was little. When my parents took me and my two siblings to the park, I would run and run until I could run no more. Anywhere we went, if there was a running game or activity, that's where I would be found.

When my older brother Rob and I were young, we used to play soccer almost every day in our backyard.  We used the trees as goals and would sometimes make up our own rules for our soccer games.  Being homeschooled was awesome because we could use any free time we had to go outside and play soccer.  

I never really ran consistently until about a year ago.  Up until then, I just ran when I had the opportunity, like in PE class or playing soccer or frisbee with friends.  What got me really interested in running was my Fitness for Life class at Utah Valley University (UVU), during the Fall 2012 semester.  We were required to exercise at least three times a week for 20 minutes or longer.  I began running at a local track several times a week.  When I heard of an upcoming 5K, I decided to try it out. It was the Pride of the Valley scholarship run at UVU on September 22, 2012. 

My friend Allison Chapa (left) and I just before the Pride of the Valley race started.

My high school, Utah County Academy of Sciences (UCAS), then hosted a scholarship fun run on April 13, 2013. Instead of a 5K, it was a 6K because it was set up to have the runners race around a city block twice.  This distance was 0.7 miles farther than a regular 5K, so in order to have the starting line and finish line be at the same spot, they just made it a 6K.  I didn't train at all for this race.  When I was training for the Pride of the Valley race, I didn't notice anything in my performance.  Since it was my first race, I had nothing to base it on.  When I did this 6K, I hadn't run for about four months, but I didn't think training for it was necessary.  Therefore, my body wasn't ready to run that much again.  I had to keep stopping to walk out stomach cramps and get my heavy breathing back under control.  It showed me that running consistently for weeks up until the race is very important, even if we don't realize it at the time.

I just finished my first 6k, the scholarship fun run!

After this race, I didn't have time for running because I was busy studying for finals and stressing about school.  And I didn't go running at all this past summer either.  I started running again at the end of last month, August.  I have gone running at least twice a week since then.  Even among the heavy school load and working about 20 hours a week, I still find time to go running.  Actually, let me rephrase that.  I make time to go running.  There are some days that I want to sleep in just a little longer, but I choose to get up and go running because I know how healthy it is for me.  I notice a difference in so many areas of my life.  I'm keeping up my grades because I am able to concentrate better.  I feel happier most of the time.  And most importantly, my self-esteem has increased because I know I am doing something great for my body.  Overall, I have learned that running can be very effective and so amazing.  If you're a runner and you ever feel discouraged, don't quit!  It's worth the hard work!