I did it!  I ran my second (third including Ironman) marathon!  And it was an amazing experience!

Here’s how it went…It all started with a 3:30 AM wake up call.  Then shoving down oatmeal at butt-crack early so we could be at the buses by 4:45 at the latest. 

3:30 AM wake up!

Next a 30 minute bus ride droped us off up the canyon where we waited for 20 minutes in the long bathroom lines.  Next we knew it was 5:55 and the start was just moments away. 

Kendra made her way to the front of the pack and I stuck myself somewhere in the middle.  My goal for this marathon was to just get the mileage on my legs, especially since I had just run 24 miles the weekend before.  Kendra’s goal…..Boston!

Countdown started and we were off…well sort of…..it was a slow walk to the timing mats…and then we were off and running!  I had my Garmin on and wanted to keep my pace no faster than 12 minute miles for the beginning. 

Running down Pouder River Canyon

Well since I was going so slow- tons of people passed me.  But then I encounter this wonderful married couple, Molly and Weston.  We totally hit it off!  They were concerned about running too fast so I had the honor of pacing them for the first 17 miles of the marathon.  Running with them was an absolute treat!  I really enjoyed being in the space where this marathon was not about me.  I was doing it for the miles, for fun, and as a result I had the opportunity to be of service.  We talked about everything, noticed the beauty, and all felt very grateful to be together. 

Then around mile 17 I started getting antsy.  I started chomping on the bit.  They were starting to slow down a bit, so I said my goodbyes and cranked up the pace.  It felt so darn good to open it up and run faster.  I was strong and didn’t even feel like I had run 17 miles already!

As I made my way along the roads and then eventually onto the bike paths I was holding my pace in the 10:00 min range.  I felt like I was running with very little effort.  My breath was relaxed and I kept things right below threshold.   And the fun thing is I must have passed at least 50 people.  I know, it’s bad, but there is some kind of sick joy in passing people towards the end of an endurance event… 

One other amazing thing that occurred is I ran into Nick from the AIR Foundation.  I have tried to contact him in the past two weeks because I was wanting to pick his brains on how to get shoes donated for something I’m starting at MHCD where I work. (That’s another blog post for the future).  Anyway.  He had some athletes on the course, so we walked together for a bit to discuss how we might be able to partner.  As a result of taking this time and not being in a hurry, Nick will be donating shoes and would like to help in my endeavour!   Now how cool is that????  I was able to be of service and made a connection I had been trying to make…..

I finally crossed the finish line….My time :5:20:10.  Kinda longer than I had hoped….but then obviously, this race was not about me.  It was not about me PRing, or focusing in myself.  This race turned out to be about others and how I could help them. 

When I did cross that finish line, my heart was so full of gratitude for the wonderful day I experienced.  It didn’t hurt either that Kendra and Dru were waiting for me, cheering me on!  I finished the race really strong and had a blast.  I got the mileage on my legs and had fun in the process.  How lucky I am??? 

Oh and Kendra- placed 2nd in Age Group and qualified for BOSTON!  Molly and Weston finished their first marathons, and I had a successful 26.2 miles training run.

This coming weekend will bring the Buena Vista Bike Fest Century, followed by a 30 mile run the weekend after that.  Can you say “IRONMAN TRAINING???”.  Yeap, it’s begun 

Kendra and Doreen with the finishers medals!