St. George Marathon 2014

October 4, 2014

 You guys... For some reason i just keep signing up! I just don't get it. But I do really enjoy the training, but running after 15 miles just isn't that fun ok? I also had a REALLY bad training year (ie: husband in hospital, living in utah, traveling like a crazy woman, being super duper lazy) but anyway. I finished. and I vowed that I am NEVER running another marathon unless I am qualifying for Boston. It's on my bucketlist ok?

Anyway.

the girls and I headed out early Thursday morning. They're the best travelers ever.... and Dramamine is still needed for Clara. I thought once again I could get away without it, I feel guilt because she literally is out cold, but she truly does get car sick. Lucy also threw up at Cafe Rio in Billings while standing in line... next to a table of 10 missionaries-- weird. Anyway. The drive went actually really well and we made it to Kaysville by like 10:30pm I think. 

 My mother in law is the best person EVER and offered to watch the girls so they wouldn't have to jump in a car again the next day, so Friday morning I took the girls over to play with cousins and I headed down to St. George with my mom and dad. And so begins #whatifiwastheonlychild

My cute sister in law Carrie was also running the race, and was in town from CA! It was so fun to run with her! We rode up the bus at 4am together, and ran together the first 10 miles or so. I then thought I was going to die and lost her, but you know. That's what happens when you don't train very well and start out super fast. 

also- best photo bomb ever.

 The race went ok. It was way hard mentally than anything this year! I was just so tired and wanted to be done. I was on track at like mile 17 to finish at a 3:45, but ended up finishing at a 3:54-- if that tells you anything! Haha. I went with cheaper shoes this year and I definitely paid the price! They were fine on 10-15 mile runs, but I got the WORST blisters, lost two toe nails after the race, and my IT band was just killing me. I was making up for my right leg hurting by over using my left leg, and by the last 6 miles my left leg was also dying. I pretty much survived by every water stop/aid station. I then almost cried when I had to start moving again. It was like a laugh/cry throughout the whole race. But also such a beautiful course and day! It was a little warm, but I do worship the sun now. I absolutely LOVE running. I do. Halfs are SO fun, and I actually like marathons too. I've just gotten competitive with myself so I want to run faster and better. I think this year I would have loved the race had I just planned on finishing in like 4:10. But anyway. To qualify for Boston I have to beat 3:35, so maybe in like 2017? Haha!

Here's me and my cute dad. 

My overall time was 3:54:02- so I beat my last years time by 2 minutes. Success! 

 My cute mom. I know it's like her least favorite weekend of the year, but she always is such a good sport and is so supportive of us! Love her!

Carrie finished about 10 minutes before me. Hopefully the next time either of us run, we'll be on our A game and qualifying for Boston, right!? Haha. She is amazing!

I think here I was crying tears of joy at finally seeing the finish line. I've never been so happy!

After the race I was dying to get in a little more SUNSHINE. So after washing off layers of icy hot my mom and I headed to the pool at my grandpa's condo, turned General Conference on Mormon Radio and listened to conference while laying out. It was pretty much the best way to listen to conference ever! 

 We sent my dad to priesthood and very slowly walked around Old Navy and a couple outlet stores, before eventually giving up and getting us a table at The Outback.

 I was super excited to be the third wheel. Oh and that the marathon was over! 

 I had already had a giant SWIG and sugar cookie, but they also took me to Nielsens. Being an only child is awesome you guys.

 We headed out Sunday morning to come back to these cute girls, who were definitely well taken care of!

 When we finally made it home we celebrated Kyle's 22nd birthday a few days early! 

 The next day I tried to learn how to walk again and finished the last details on Choreographing Orem High's competition routine and Pom routine! Talk about stress! It was actually a lot of fun, and because they paid me to do their routines I was able to make the trip to Utah! I loaded up on Swig and enlisted the help of Candace. Isn't she so beautiful? We had a LONG couple of nights there, but got everything done, had JCW's and Cafe Rio, and I got to see her new apt in Provo. It was a good time!

 It was maybe the most exhausting weekend of my life between driving to Utah, running, and choreographing and teaching.... but it was well worth it to have the next few days of fun in Utah!