Provo Marathon

We have been preparing all summer long for this day and it FINALLY came! Matt started out with a knee injury in May; but after fixing his stride he was ready to go. His Africa trip made him miss two big runs but he was feeling strong.

I thought my knee was going to be an issue too, but it is amazing what correct form can do for you! During the last month I have fought tendinitis around my ankle bone. I went to the doctor last week. Knowing I would run the marathon no matter what; he suggested shoe inserts, lots of icing and 800 milligrams of Ibuprofen 3 times a day! I wanted to run so I did as I was told. About 3 days ago my lower back began to hurt. Not until this morning did it dawn on me that my kidneys were reacting to so much medicine!

It was a beautiful run with 75 runners (I know... lot's bigger then any race we've EVER seen!) It was very professional I must say! Ha Ha! We all looked at each other as the race director was telling us where we would be running. Our #1 goal was NOT to get LOST! We started above Vivian Park in Provo Canyon. At mile 8 we got to turn back UP the trail for 1 1/2 miles and then headed back down the Canyon. At mile 14 we got to do another crazy detour so we could stay on trails and not run on the roads. We ended by running on the trail to Utah Lake.

It was so fun at mile 18 when we saw Jac and Ashley jumping up and down and cheering for us. It's amazing what a lift it gives you! Matt needed it because he was hitting the "wall". After stretching for a while and walking now and then he was feeling great by mile 24.

I had decided to take my Narcolepsy medicine at mile 14 hoping it would give me an extra boost along with another 800 ml of Ibuprofen. At mile 21 my head started to spin. Now I was dealing with a tired body AND a horrible sensation that I was going to pass out! Every time I stopped to walk My eyes would roll back and my head would start spinning and I'd try to walk some more to feel better but it never quite helped. When we hit mile 23 which was a very hard time for me; my parents were sitting on a bench waiting to cheer for us! It was so wonderful to see them :)

Even though Matt could have come in sooner and a lot stronger he stayed by my side the entire time! It was so sweet of him to stay with me. He kept telling me, "We've come this far together and we are going to finish it together! I don't care about our time!" He is always amazing me with the strength that he empowers me with. He sang songs and kept me going when I felt like I couldn't run another step! We went from 8:10-8:30 minute miles to 11:00-12:00 minute miles UGH! We came in at 4 hours 16 minutes, my worst time yet but hey who cares right?! What matters is that we FINISHED!

The best part of it all was crossing the finish line holding hands with my best friend! 26th place overall. We don't have to tell people how many runners were in the race do we? We still finished the top half; not too shabby.

Not many people can say they have ran a marathon with their spouse. We feel pretty lucky! It made it all worth it. Even feeling like I was going to pass out for the last hour of our run! (oh yea, and for an hour after) I know this sounds absolutely crazy to non-runners but for those of us who love running; it just makes sense!

Leesa and Jessica have been so much fun to train with. They are amazing friends! We have had LOT'S of bonding time :) Matt got a kick out of listening to us when he would join us for our long runs. "Wow, I have learned soo much about women!"

This may not have been the best planned marathon but we still had a great time doing it! We will have lot's of great memories and I learned a very important lesson... DON'T take too much medicine!

Will we do another marathon? YOU BET! not for a while though, give us a month or two! As long as Matt's by my side :)