I made it!

Yep - it's over. I am glad, but kind of sad too. It was a hard race - it rained the whole time and I ran the last 16 miles by myself. After mile 12-13, I felt pretty great the rest of the race. My time was 4hours 9minutes. I was really happy with that time since I beat my PR by almost 22 minutes. Will I run another marathon? I thought I wouldn't and this was my last, but I am considering another. Why would I put myself through that torture again? I don't know, but maybe the look on my face after completing the race says it all -- it is the look of accomplishment and relief. How many times do you get to see that with 3 kids under 5, a hubby who works a lot, and sometimes too many responsibilities? A marathon isn't just about the run, it is about all the things you have accomplished in your life up until that point . . .

Marathon Jitters

Yep, the marathon is in 3 days. I still can't believe I am doing it. I also can't believe that my prayers were answered and I think my knee will be fine. I am also thankful that I got mastitis a few weeks ago because even though it was horrible, it made me stop running for a week - which saved my knee. I am happy when Heavenly Father answers my prayers, even when the answers come in strange ways. It reminded me of when I prayed that Elijah wouldn't be born early like Henry because I didn't want to bring a new baby home while living at the in-laws. And my prayer was answered because that day he turned breech and I had to have a c-section. But I really think he would have come early had he not been breech - so I get my answers in crazy ways!

Anyway, back to the marathon, I am documenting this now so that I can't give up while running. I want to finish the race and run the whole thing. That is goal #1. Goal #2 is to finish in under 4 hours. I know for some people this would be a sinch, but I know it will be hard for me. I know I can do it. I keep picturing in my head that female gold medalist marathon runner and how she looked as she ran that race. I remember seeing her at mile 18 and I had to keep watching. Anyone who can run that fast and make it look so easy should get more than a gold medal. So I cheered for her. I even was almost at tears as she reached mile 23 and I started yelling for her. She was so close. As she got so you could see the finish line, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. So she will be my inspiration during the race. When things get hard, I will picture her with her 0% body fat and her ab muscles moving in sync with her swinging arms. ANd when that isn't enough, I will think of my 4 boys waiting for me at the finish line - I know that will get me through this. . .