SLC Marathon

As most everyone knows I have been training for the Salt Lake City Marathon for the past three months. Training has been a rewarding experience, although the process as a whole been a rollercoaster ride. Hehe. I started out on treadmills, now I hate them more than ever. Seriously, I would rather run in a blizzard than one of those blasted machines. Needless to say I do most of my running outside, despite the elements. I've learned to run in rain, snow, and my absolute favorite SUN! There was a week that I actually ran on a track, without music. Although I had no choice, I was in the middle of the pacific ocean and running ON water was not exactly an option. :) Near the end of my training I discovered I love to run with people, whether they are running alongside me or riding a bike (as Megan did). My total progress was this: I started out running at about 5.0 mph. Not bad, sometimes it was slower. Now my pace is about 6.1 or 6.2 mph and this is for several miles! Woot yeah!

Alright, enough with the training details and onto the main event! I spent the night with Megan's grandparents - LaVerne and Chet - and woke up early to get ready for the race. I parked Stevie (my car) at the Gateway and caught Trax up to U of U. My legs felt ready for action. I actually jogged a couple of paces. My whole body was quivering in anticipation. The ride was long, but after 45 minutes we finally reached Legacy Bridge at the top of U of U's campus. There were tons of people milling around waiting for the race to start. Most people were involved in the half marathon. We all congregated on the road. I saw Kyle Jennings from high school. He was running the half marathon so we talked until the race started. The start was kind of amusing. The announcer counted down, then there was a gun shot and everyone started to move forward. Although it was more of a shuffle than anything else. It didn't take us long to break up. The start was all downhill. Tons of people were passing me but I kept my steady pace, knowing I would need to conserve my energy. The morning air was cool and crisp. My music pounded in my ears. I had so much adrenaline! Every once in a while my emotions would get the best of me and I would start to choke up, but I soon discovered that I couldn't cry and breath at the same time. Haha.

At every mile along the course it said which mile you had finished and the amount of time you had been running. Every couple of miles there were rest stations with bathrooms (port o' potties) and people holding out water or gatorade. At my first rest stop I tried to run and drink at the same time... Yeah, didn't work out. I spilled a bunch. That's when I learned you walk when you are trying to drink something.

The course was really hilly. I remember looking at the elevation chart once and realizing I would encounter a few hills, but I guess it didn't fully sink in. Most of the hills were within the first 10 miles. I didn't stop to walk any of them! Except for the one at the very end. Thankfully the sky stayed overcast for until about 10am and even when the sky did clear up there was always a breeze.

I was feeling pretty good around mile 10. My pace was the same and I still had energy. Mile 16 was when everything hit me. I was tired. A couple miles earlier I had started to feel the wear, but this was definitely the Wall. I struggled. My mind was thinking, 10 more miles. Somehow I found my rhythm again, although I was all-too-aware of hot spots on my feet. Then at mile 18 it just hurt. My legs didn't want to go any further. I had 8 miles to go and all I wanted to do was sleep. I would glance longingly at the grass. I could see myself asleep in my car on my way back to Tremonton. It was hard. I stopped to walk for longer periods of time, but my legs hurt all the same. I ate some jelly beans and forced some gatorade and water down, but nothing helped. Food was the furthest thing from my mind. Even the gatorade was starting to make me feel nauseous. I remember thinking I was crazy! Part of me even thought that I would never run a marathon again. (Although I knew I could never completely make that promise.) One thing was certain, I would not give up!!! I took out my headphones, no longer amused by my selection of music. Every step hurt. My face became stoic although my mind was raging a huge battle against itself. I was counting down the miles, looking anxiously ahead for the next sign. One of the few things that kept me amused was the photographers. I started posing for the cameras, doing anything to keep my mind off the battle. I felt like I walked a lot, although it was probably less than two miles in total.

Finally I came to the last two miles of the race. There was a blasted hill. Despite my aching feet I knew I had to finish strong. I was determined to run the rest of the way once I got to the top of the hill. I walked the whole way up, exhausted beyond belief, but when I hit the top I ran. I forced my stride to lengthen. One last stretch, I thought. My eyes were focused on the Gateway straight ahead. I knew I would have to take three more turns before I could see the finish line. I passed the temple. My breathing was labored, but I couldn't stop. I wouldn't start up again. That last mile honestly seemed to take forever, but finally I rounded the corners. I could see the people. I started looking around almost overcome with emotion then I saw the finish line. Without thinking I sprinted straight ahead. I could hear everyone. I knew my family was cheering me on. I swore I heard my name but I couldn't focus on anything. It took every last ounce of energy to sprint towards that finish line. I passed a handful of people. Finally I was across. After slowing so rapidly I thought I was going to pass out. Thankfully I kept walking, trying to suck precious oxygen into my lungs. Someone handed me a medal. My mind must have been somewhat numb. I think I had to force myself to smile. I had done it. I finished in 4 hours and 42 minutes. Under my goal of 5 hours too!

The marathon was a great experience. I could hardly walk after sitting down for a few minutes. Everything hurt from my waist down, but the pain was worth it. My family was beaming and it didn't take too long for me to start beaming as well. Now I've started planning for the next one. I think it will be Top of Utah in September. I'm crazy. I knew after one I would do another. The feeling is very addicting. Even now I long to run out in the sunshine, despite my stiff muscles. :) I think I am still on an emotional high...

My family and roommates were all so amazing through all of this. I know how proud they are of their marathon runner and I hope they realize how much they did for me. Life really is a marathon and although there are times when we want to quit it is worth every minute of suffering once you cross that finish line. Thanks everyone for your support!