St. George Marathon '09

Mike and I drove down from Carmel, through Las Vegas. We picked up Dave and Adina at the airport in Vegas on their way back from Mexico. Mike, Dave, and I were running, Adina was acting as chauffeur, photographer, and cheerleader. We arrived in St. George at about 7:00 and stopped at one of the restaurants in town for their "all you can eat spaghetti dinner." From there we made our way to the convention center and picked up our bibs, microchips, maps, etc... We also bought disposable gloves- thank goodness! THEN we stopped at a grocery store and bought our breakfast supplies. Finally, we arrived at Uncle Val's, settled in, and made it to bed by 10:00.

We were back up at 3:45 (I think we all ended up waking at about 3:00 though) and out the door for the park where all the school busses were parked and waiting to take us up to the start of our route.

Dave looking way too happy for a 4:15 am photo.

Mike entering the address of the park into the GPS.

Adina takes our pic before boarding the bus.

We had a crazy bus driver and we were afraid we were going to die on our way up the hill. When we arrived it was freezing, low 40s, with wind. But... there was music playing and about 100 bonfires set up and burning for all of the runners. We stood around the fires for awhile and then sat down and rested our legs. The race didn't start until 6:45 but with thousands running you had to get there early. Soon after a quick trip to the porta potties the marathoners began taking off by pace groups. Dave's friend had told him to just wait, that it was a total shuffle at the beginning and the microchip on our shoe would record when we crossed the starting line anyway. So... we waited for about 5-10 minutes and then Mike and I started running. Dave waited a bit longer but we knew he wouldn't be running with us.

Right away I was apprehensive. It was freezing, the altitude made me breathless, and my knee started to ache right from the very start. At mile 3 I thought there was no way I was going to make it. But... at mile 7 there was a hill and it helped my knee. I didn't have any knee issues again until mile 18 and then it was still okay until mile 21.

So... we ran, for a long time. There were tons of drink stations and lots of food, which made me happy. Plenty of interesting happenings to keep us entertained. I can't say that I ever settled in and just felt good. I kept pulling my sports bra out from my chest so I could take a deep breath. I think next time I will skip some of the drink stations and just keep in the groove, I don't know how I'll fix the altitude issue. It was a beautiful run though. Really gorgeous. At mile 16 we saw Adina.

Mile 16

This is a pic for my kids, Mike, Meags, my mom, Buffy, Adina, everyone that encouraged, supported, aided in our marathon. Thanks and I love you.

By mile 21 Mike and I were both feeling pretty sore. My knee was killing me and Mike's achilles tendon was killing him. My hip flexors ached, my body just felt so worn out, but that is also about the time that you are coming out onto the main roads and there were crowds of people everywhere. Everyone was cheering us on, music was playing here and there, a high school band was playing. All along the route cow bells were clanging. I kept thinking "I need more cow bell!"

I made the mistake of pausing for water at mile 25. Mike was getting dehydrated and so he needed to grab water at every station, but he could run and drink. I am not that talented and I would need to slow to get a few gulps. I stopped at the station and then I couldn't start again. If I hadn't have been looking down at my leg I would have sworn it was popped out to the side from the knee down, like a broken tooth pick. I kept trying to put weight on it and I couldn't. For a couple of seconds I panicked. I was picturing how long it would take me to hobble to the finish line (because I was going to finish no matter what). Mike calmed me down and told me to stretch it out (which is what I had had to do on our 20 miler, I just wasn't thinking it through). I stretched it out and was able to bear weight on it again. I started out with just a shuffle step and after a few yards I was able to start running again. Toward the finish line people were shouting " just 7 more blocks.... just 31/2 more blocks" I swear they could have just as easily been shouting "only 10 more miles!" I was so tired. But... we made it! Mike grabbed my hand and raised it over our heads as we crossed the finish line and then we gave each other a salty smooch!

We finished at 4:52:20. Dave finished at 4:27. I am so grateful for my wonderful, supportive husband that stuck by my side through all of my training and through the entire race. I could never have done this without him!

Side notes: A few yards before I crossed the finish line I looked over and there was my cousin Deb cheering us on. It was pretty cool to see her amidst all the crowds.

I called Meags as soon as I could think clearly and told her I had done it. She screamed in my ear. She is my inspiration and was so incredibly supportive. I LOVE her to death (Ellynn, you too, but... you know).

My Uncle Val was such a wonderful host. He gave us wonderful, comfortable bedrooms, made us feel right at home, and even fed us pancakes and eggs Sunday morning.