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| Tasha and Ashley |
Wow I did it
Yes it is true I ran the St. George Marathon on October 2nd 2010. I know that it has taken me a while to write about it, and I guess it is because it has taken me time to digest the experience. As strange as it sounds’ running this marathon has been a dream of mine for awhile. I use to hate running, but as time has gone by, and things in my body have gone south, I have learned to love it.
I started running about two years ago. At this time I could barely make it a mile. I worked my way up to five miles, and really enjoyed that distance. Then, with the help of some of my friends, I made the goal to run the marathon. After the first weekend of running our long run of nine miles I really questioned my sanity. I could barely walk the next day, and I began making up reasons why I couldn’t run it. My thoughts ranged from I’m too busy to my kids are too young. All these reasons were true, but not good enough reasons to give up. So each week I would run. Saturday morning at 5:00 am I would get out of bed and run. Getting over the ten mile barrier was hard. It took me three weeks just to get there. I hated every minute of those mornings. I just couldn’t convince myself to keep going, but on the morning that I finally crossed that line I was so proud. It was amazing. Then the following weeks the miles started adding up, but with family vacations I only ended up running 18 miles before the race. This would come back to haunt me on race day.
Now that the race day was here I was so nervous. This is what I had been working toward, and I could only think how hard it was going to be. On the morning of the race my amazing sister Tara, her fun friends, and I were waiting for a bus and it took forever. The only thing that I kept thinking is that I’m never going find my running partner Ashley. The thought of running by myself was terrifying. I could only envision the reasons why I was going to quit. I needed Ashley there to keep me going. Once we got to the start I was comforted that I had time to look for her, by with over 2,000 people at the start it seemed impossible. When the race started I still hadn’t found Ashley, but I started running hoping I would find her along the way. About a mile in I did just that I was so glad when I ran up on her, and relieved that I didn’t have to do this on my own.
The first 7 miles were so much fun. It was so awesome to see all the people that came out to cheer on the runners. It made us all energized, and helped ease the nerves. But then came Veyo hill. All I can say is that when I think of it my butt still cramps up. Before the end of the hill I could see the energy die out of the people around us! I gave up on running and started power walking, and was surprised how much faster I made it. I even walked past some people that were jogging. At this point I lost Ashley. I was sad, but felt like if I slowed down I would just sit on the road and give up. After that hill I noticed people around me giving up. I could only think that I’m not going to give up. I just kept running. My goal was to run to the water stations then walk and then run to the next one. The water stations were 2 miles apart which made the next 16 miles feasible. This strategy worked for a while, but at mile 19 I felt both my legs cramp up. They were tight from my ankles to my hips. It was as if I was running in quicksand. While I was having the wonderful people at the aid station working on my legs they said that my knee looked strange. There was a paramedic nearby so they had one come and look at it. The medic took one look, and said that I should quit. The only thing that I could think was that there was no way I was going to give up at mile 19. I only had 7.2 miles to go, and I was not going to give up. So I just turned and walked away. From that mile on I walked. I wasn’t able to run with all the pain that I felt, but I walked. At mile 22 I was so happy to see my beautiful boys, sister in law Chelsie, and amazing in-laws. They were there with water, hugs, and signs. This reenergized knowing I had so many people pulling for me to finish really helped. Thank you all for being so amazing, and supportive. I was so glad to see Ashley at mile 24. She came up behind me, and together we crossed the finish line at 5 hours and 51 minute. That was not even close to my 5 hour goal, and I still get sad when I think that at mile 19 I was on pace to finish at 4 hours and 50 minutes. Even with that thought I still know how incredible it felt to finish. All the mornings that I got out of bed had paid off, and it’s easy to think that if I had worked harder during training I would have made my goal. But I don’t what to let myself think like that. I am one of a few that can say I have run a marathon.
Getting to the finish line was a very emotional experience. I was so happy to see my family all still there waiting for me to finish. Garret finish at around 3 hours 30 minutes, Tara around 4 hours 30 minute, and they stayed there until I finished. They are both my inspiration. They are amazing people that are incredible examples to me. My parents were there along with both my pregnant sisters. They stood in the heat waiting for me to finish. Also there was my incredible husband. He was very supportive during this entire process. He was always willing to watch the boys, and take care of things around the house while I run. Thanks to every one for your support. You are all the best people I know.
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| The finishers |
