That was a doozy

WOW. Where to start? On saturday I ran in the St. George Marathon for my 2nd time. I got up nice and early. Not really nervous but just contemplating the task ahead of me. I rode up with Steve's cousins...Becky, Esther and Phil. We then met up with their cousins Burke and Joanie. I'm glad that I had them there to get me laughing and just to have someone I know! Phil and I decided we were shooting for the same time, so we started out together...we were shooting for "9's" (that is 9 minute miles). The race started out super dark and super cold. At the starting line they have many bonfires as well as hot chocolate, but once you start its up to you to get warm. I think it was around mile 3 that I started asking myself...is this really what I want to do? (they have shuttles and they are mighty tempting).

this is me at mile 6...feeling really good actually and pretty sure I have another 20 in me.

Here is my running buddy Phil...we would get ahead of each other here and there, but always found each other eventually. We actually finished 21 seconds apart.

Coming into Veyo...this little town where I think probably every resident came out along with the high school band to cheer us on. I love the locals!

After mile 7 is when things got really rough. This is the beginning of about a 5 mile incline. This was probably the worst of it. But they were tough! I was very proud of myself NEVER stopping to walk.
same hill, better light, and further up.

almost to the top of that hill...click to enlarge to see the trail of all the people...I think they said it was about 5200 runners that day.

coming into Snow Canyon...about mile 15. I love the beautiful redrock. I stopped once and that was at mile 13 (.1) to stretch. My legs were getting nice and tight. But I think it gave me a burst of energy! I was feeling so good by mile 16...where Steve and My mom were supposed to meet me, but I beat them!

I think this was around 17 or 18. I heard some guy talking "ok, we are coming up on a hill, take it nice and easy, no need to do anything fancy here." I was thinking WHO DOES THIS GUY THINK HE IS? I turned around to see that he was the 4:00 pacer. oh. that's who he thinks he is. an elite runner showing people how to run a marathon. duh.

the good news is...he never passed me and most of the time before that I thought he was ahead of me!

a helicopter...there were a few flying by us, and I took a picture because it made me think of Owen. He loves them.

After mile 16 it was pretty much ALL downhill, and I think why this explains why I have been unable to walk faster than my 2 year old for 3 days now. At about mile 23 my feet were killing...I thought for sure there would be blood (turns out no blood just really humungous blisters on the balls of my feet). At mile 24 I caught up to Phil, who I hadn't seen since about mile 20. At mile 25 there were people with soaking wet cold washcloths...GLORIOUS (and I remember that being just as wonderful last time,too).

I was dead by this point and really hoping I wasn't going to vomit. I turned a corner and saw the finish line! It was about a couple tenths of a mile. I was looking carefully for my family (didn't want to miss them AGAIN) and they were RIGHT at the finish line. So they were all there cheering me on and got to see me cross. I was so happy to see them, although last time I started hyperventalating. Luckily that didn't happen. I really wanted to get a picture of the finish line, but I was in no picture taking mood.

I finished at 3:58:08. I started to grab everything in sight...a popsicle, grapes, melons, wash cloths...but where the heck was the water? I found that to be really odd...there were 2 really long lines...one for soda and another for water. I thought that was so strange. I just ran 26.2 miles and now I have to wait in line for water? weird.

No picture of me at the finish line, but I may acquire one later...

Me and my #1 fans. Love my boys!

And here I am with my big shiny medal. Thank Heavens it is over. Til next time!