One week ago today, I completed what was the biggest physical and mental challenge yet in my 24 years. I finished a Marathon. For those of you who don't know how long that is, it is 26.2 miles. My friend Ashley told me she was going to do it and somehow, I found myself registering for the same run. Training starting back in December. When I first started, I could barely run a mile. I put my mind to it and I pushed myself harder. Running that first mile became easy and soon after that, 5, 10 and 13 miles became easy too. Don't get me wrong...it wasn't all a walk (or run! LOL) in the park. There were days when it was snowing, freezing and wet...I still pushed through. There were also days when I hurt really bad. My joints ached and my muscles begged me to stop. I still pushed through. A short 5 months blew by and the big race day came to be. I was nervous. So nervous my stomach hurt and my heart pounded out of my chest. The day of the race, I had to be up at 4 to give myself ample time to prepare and to "top off" my fuel tank with carbs and Powerade. We were shuttled up Ogden Canyon on busses. I sat next to a guy named Ryan. This too, was also his first marathon. I could tell he was nervous because he was singing all the way to the starting line. The starting line at 6:00 AM had a temperature of 28 degrees. I was in shorts and a tank top, so it was a bit uncomfortable. A stranger chatted with me...this was her 5th marathon and I listened closely to her strategies. I found Ashley and we chatted as we stood in line for the bathroom to try and keep warm and keep our minds off of the task that lay ahead of us. So many people wanted to win and to be #1...I just wanted to finish and feel good. 7:00 AM starting time came fast and we heard the boom of the starting gun. We were off!! I decided I would try one of the strategies that the stranger at the starting line suggested. I would run 1 mile, and then walk for 60 seconds...take it one mile at a time. If I felt strong at the end, I could push harder if I needed. The first few miles were great as my muscles warmed. I remember a gentleman and his 2 kids sitting in there front yard cheering us on with two huge speakers playing the song "Here comes the sun" as I ran by. It brought tears to my eyes...I felt that message was just for me. I then saw an older woman sitting with her husband on lawn chairs waiving an American Flag. She shouted out to us that she wished she had half the energy that we did!! At about mile 12, I saw my mommy. It was nice to see her and my dad as they cheered me on. When I reached the halfway mark, I stopped and took the Advil I had tucked in my sports bra. My hip was starting to really hurt. Within a few minutes I was feeling strong again. There was one big hill...I walked the whole way up with an older gentleman as we talked about the weather and what a great day it was!! At the top of the hill was another aid station...more Powerade and water. The sugar from the Powerade and the GU packets started to make my stomach turn. I pushed harder as I entered down into Ogden Canyon. The sun was getting hot...beating against the blacktop. At about the 20 mile marker, my Ipod died. I listened to the river rushing pass me...imagining my body being one with the flow of the water down the canyon. I pushed harder and harder as the pain in my hip returned. As I came out of the canyon, I entered the Ogden River Parkway. I had done a lot of my training on this parkway. It was the same path was going to deliver me to my finish. My victory. Another older gentleman stood at the side clapping and cheering me on telling me how great I looked..."You're a Marathoner!!" he cheered as I passed. I used that same phrase so many days as a positive affirmation as I looked in the mirror...I know his message was meant just for me. It was the last little boost I needed. I finally reached Grant Avenue...5 blocks away to the finish. It was the longest 5 blocks I've ever travelled. Time seemed to move slow as my dad walked behind me cheering me on. The crowd was still big as I closed in and all of my friends and family were there to welcome me. It took me 5 and a half hours...but I made it. I received a metal and my picture was taked. I finished the Ogden Marathon. I met up with friends and family and made my way home. My stomach turned to knots and I thought I was going to through up. I slept 15 hours that night. The next day, I could hardly walk. It was worth it...I will definitely do it again and again.
