St. George Marathon 2013

October 5, 2013

 St. George marathon 2013! a big CHECK! Wahoo!

It's always SUCH a good feeling completing that race. I had a blast training for it this year- thanks to my running buddies up here- mainly Jenny, and Aimee & Shauna. I feel like after 3 marathons I am now a 'runner'. I've really only been running for 2 1/2 years, and wasn't really sure how I felt about it at first. And now I can honestly say that I love it.

Marathons. Do I love them? No. Will I continue to run them? Yes. Why? I'm still not sure. Haha. I am a pretty competitive person, and I like to push myself I guess. That's the best explanation I can come up with! I know I love to run to clear my mind, move my body, etc... It's relaxing to me, and so on... but running a marathon isn't exactly relaxing is it? Haha. 

Anyway. I'll go through the race, this is more of a post for myself, so feel free to skip all the running nonsense!

The past couple years my dad's good friend Bill has stayed with us at my Grandpa's house and then we've all- my dad, Bill, and I ran the race seperately. This year however, My dad had knee surgery so he didn't train until about a month ago- Wah-wah... (That's for you M-O-M), and Bill was a little injured as well, so they decided to take it nice and easy and run with me. Who was pushing herself and trying to beat 4 hours! I ran a 4:10 last year, and a 4:34 the year before, so I was thinking I was running so fast. But regardless, the old men slowed down to run with me and it was awesome.

It was FREEZING up at the start line this year, but we caught a later bus so we didn't have to freeze too long. I did keep my throw-away long sleeve tee on though until about mile 16-ish. It was cooold!

My dad is the ULTIMATE pacer, and kept slowing me down the first few miles, we had some 'quicker' miles 4-7, but he seriously kept us right on track the whole race. It's so hard to go slow those first few miles because the adrenaline is so high, but I'm so glad we did!

And becuase I'm a dork I take pictures while running- my dad and Bill are in the right.

Around mile 11 or so my IT band started KILLING me. Sound familiar? Every. Year. This year though it has not bothered me at all, so I was not expecting it and totally caught me off guard. I luckily had my brace on just in case, and it saved me. I had some extremely painful 3 miles and was so discouraged because we weren't even half way yet, but I stopped to get some icy-hot at every aid station on it and it helped a ton. Or maybe it was just mental? Either way I finally bounced out of it, thank goodness! Because it really slowed me down for a minute!

 1- 9:03

2- 9:07

3- 8:48

4- 8:27

5- 8:36

6- 8:06

7- 8:08

8- 9:25
9- 9:42

10- 8:52

11- 9:41

12- 10:16 

(Ah!) It pains me to write those numbers-- so frustrating!!

13- 8:41

14- 9:11

15- 8:51

16- 8:41

17- 8:43

18- 9:17

19- 9:35

20- 9:25

21- 8:36

22- 8:27

23- 8:55

24- 8:20

25- 8:48

26- 8:29

.2- Wahoo!

Overall time: 3:56:19

Average pace: 8:55

I was SO happy to meet my goal, but also a little bummed knowing I was so close to 3:55! But alas, I did have my goal all summer be to beat 4 hours, and that I did! Thanks to the old man. 

My dad kept telling me over and over again, make sure you start slow and pace yourself, you want to finish your second half faster than your first. I knew he was right, but had a hard time believing him because it's so much easier to go out faster miles 1-17 because you can. The problem is, then I would crash and DIE at mile 18. Haha. I felt really good finishing, but it was Hard. I ran those last few 6 miles really pushing myself and I was feeling it at the finish line! But I actually recovered a LOT better and faster this year. Still felt SO SO sore and exhausted for a couple days, but then was fine!

Looking GOOOOOOOD.

 I felt pretty good at the finish line and was able to eat a little and sit down for 30 seconds before we found our stuff and bounced! Haha!

 My mom was amazing and brought the girls by herself to the finish line and everything! Ahh... Love you momma! They did awesome. I guess every time I'm not home Clara will ask Tyler, "Mommy running!?" Haha. I guess she's used to me running Saturday mornings!

and I can't get over Clara's face in this picture. She is a crack up!

and of course the rebel in me...

and this is the absolute best. Marissa was one of my best friends growing up- our parents and friends all ran the race growing up, and this year we all did. I saw her the night before, see her all the time... turns out we finished together. at the exact. same. time. and had NO IDEA. How funny is that!? Love it!

Unfortunately I have the Boston Marathon looming in the back of my mind. I would have to run a 3:35 to qualify. EEEek! Someday, someday.

Well, I'll probably be back next year. Unless of course I'm not.