Utah Valley Marathon

SURPRISE?!?

So, I ran another marathon this past week. After running my first marathon in Ogden and nearly dying on the course, I felt that I needed to redeem myself. I couldn't let that just be my one and only marathon. More than anything I needed to cross that finish line feeling strong, confidant ... and not on the verge of death.

Katheryn, Joshua and me after Ogden.

Five days after running the Ogden Marathon I decided to run the Utah Valley Marathon which was less than a month away. I really don't know what possessed me to sign up ... but it didn't hurt knowing that Joshua, Robert, Monte and a number of other of my RA family would be running it as well. Plus, Nate was supportive of me doing it and even took the day off to watch the kids.

I kind of ran out of reasons NOT to run.

After I signed up I didn't tell a lot of other people mainly because I felt like I put too much pressure on myself at Ogden. I felt that I had to perform well, because so many people were waiting to hear how my marathon went. I didn't want to feel that pressure again, so I kept this marathon low-key.

These two helped prepare me for my marathon.

Being a first time marathoner I was kind of worried about following it up so soon with another marathon, but I got a lot of great advice from my friends. Cory, Robert and Joshua were immense helps in coming up with a race plan. Some wanted me to start slow and finish fast and some wanted me to start fast and finish slower.

It was hard coming up with a plan and quite honestly I waited until I got to the starting line to finalize it. And, that final decision was to ... just run. Well, don't stop too much ... and make sure Joshua doesn't get side tracked with selfies and his usual tangents (but, that's really easier said than done).I felt good about this plan and in achieving around a 5:30 time.

Never a dull moment with this guy!

The night before the marathon the sweet Susette allowed me to stay over at her house with Christy, Ella and Joshua. It wasn't really much of a sleepover as we got there, said our hellos and then good nights, because we had a 2:45am wake up call.

Ugh.

In the morning (or should I say in the middle of the night?) after a bagel, banana and Clif Bar we headed out the door. Susette went to the half marathon buses, Christy and Ella went to their aid station they were volunteering at and Joshua and I headed over to the marathon buses. I love race mornings no matter how chaotic they can get.

Why do the men get their own urinal?!

The bus ride up the canyon was eternal, but it was fun having Joshua there. I felt bad at Ogden that I ditched him. He was going to surprise me at the buses, but I got cattle herded onto a bus before that could happen. Anyone who knows Joshua, knows there is never a dull moment by his side. He can make the most mundane things hilarious. And, he didn't disappoint during the mundane bus ride.

Once we got up to the starting line and used the port-a-potties. I was just ready to go for it. I didn't want to wait any longer. I hate waiting for races to start. But, it was fun running into all of my friends at the starting line. I felt bad that I wasn't able to find with Elsha since this was her first marathon. But, I am going to be running with her on Thursday so that will make up for it a bit!

I need Joshua's shirt.

The starting line of races are one of the best things about races. The excitement in the air, the friends surrounding you and the nerves of what you are about to do is somewhat intoxicating. This is probably what fooled me into running another marathon.

Once we started running I knew this race was going to be different. Tim Gill paced alongside us along with Kaylynn that I met for the first time. It was her first marathon! I was so excited for her. Then Justin Robins from our group ran with us and of course Joshua. It was a fun little group.

After a while we lost Kaylynn and Timothy at a port-a-potty and then around mile 11-12 Justin went ahead so it was just Joshua and I running together (as it usually ends up). After 12 miles I felt MUCH better than during my Ogden race. I knew I wasn't going to die. And, it helped so much running with other people, it helped keep my mind off of what I was doing to myself.

The Utah Valley Marathon course is GORGEOUS. I can't stress that enough. I felt like I was running in a painting with Deer Creek Reservoir on one side and then Mt. Timpanogos in the forefront. The weather was also great. It wasn't scorching hot like Ogden, but it was pretty windy. We had to fight through some nasty headwinds for a good 4-5 miles. The headwinds took a lot energy out of me. More than I expected.

I love these two!

One of the best parts of marathons is being surrounded by people you love and admire. Seeing Christy and her sweet daughter Ella at the half way mark was energizing. I love them both so much. I would steal Ella in a heartbeat (Joshua even tried). Even though she was not running with us, just being there to cheer us on meant the world to me.

Joshua and I even made a friend along the course. A man named Chuck who came out to cheer on his co-worker Marian was seen by us about every 2-3 miles. We think he might have had the hots on Marian because what co-worker does that? But, he was this cheery older man who carried a sign and a Japanese flag along the way.

CHUCK!!!

Of course Joshua started talking to him asking him for a ride down the mountain, for free drinks and directions to the finish line. Soon enough Chuck was not just cheering on Marian, but us as well. Seeing him along the route gave me a smile. Especially as we crossed the finish line and he came running after us. So sweet.

Once we got out of the canyon and onto University Blvd. I felt fatigue starting to wear in. My legs killed me and my energy was just zapped. Part of this was from the nasty headwind. Even though I knew I was tanking, I knew I was going to be okay and finish. It was still better than Ogden.

NASTY NASTY HEADWIND!!!

But, what saved me really was Joshua. For as much as I got on him for taking pictures he was equally or more so encouraging me to keep going and wouldn't let me quit. At mile 23 when I was pretty much spent he made me sit down and drink some water, come to and eat a Clif Bar. This saved me. It really saved. It gave me the energy I needed to finish the marathon STRONG. The way I wanted to finish.

I knew that my goal of 5:30 was out of reach, which meant that I was missing the Kids K that Cam and Allie were running. I wanted to be there with my family and really that's what got me through the rest of that race. Knowing that they would be there at the finish line was a strong motivation.

I got to ring the PR Bell!!!

Once we got closer to the finish line we were greeted by the Massas and Ty and the rest of our running group. It was so sweet of them to stick around after their race to see us come in. I am one lucky girl to have such great friends. I know that this running group was meant to be in my life at this time in my life. I just know it.

Finishing this marathon felt great as I ran in with Joshua. We even came in under six hours by about four minutes. I know that's not a great time, but it was better than Ogden and more importantly I finished the race strong. I'll take that any day over a set time.

After running this though, I don't know if I have the desire to run another marathon for a while. Joshua made the mistake of trying to convince me to run the Big Cottonwood Marathon with him in September at mile 23. I told him to shut up. Even afterwards Vince and others tried to convince me.

I love these two people!

But, I don't know?

I love running half marathons. Marathons take SO much out of you. They are tough. I swear they want to kill you. And, while I have no ambition to run another one in the moment. I have this feeling that some day I'll be conned into another.

Why? Because, there's no better motivating power than wanting to prove to yourself that you can do better. Especially at doing hard things.

That's why sometimes you just have to go for it.

 

MY TWO LITTLE RUNNERS!!!