We got our numbers and all of our SWAG. Love the swag.
We were up early the next morning. Nate and I met Mindi at Scott's house and Polly was nice enough to take us to the starting line. And it was cold! I had trained in temps that were in the 90's and 100's, and at a lower elevation. I was a little worried about the temps and the elevation change. But I should have had faith in myself. I was so excited I think I could have run it under water.
A few minutes before the race started I downed a PB&J and a Dr. Pepper. Of course I did. And then we were off! Scott was off like a race horse. Nate wasn't too far behind him so Mindi and I were on our own. Before I knew it I was just little ol' me running by myself. Which is the way I like it. Music up loud, just me and my thoughts. I found myself a little dizzy for about the first mile due to elevation, but then I felt fine. At mile two we took a sharp right and headed south. The wind hit me in the face and the next two miles were an incline. With the Oquirrh Hills temple at the top. They always put temples at the highest point. It looked like it was on a mountain top! Here in Gilbert, not a lot of hills to train on. Here I am on the OTHER side of that big hill.
Before I knew it I was at mile 6! So I snuck a look at my clock and realized I was making GREAT time. My goal was 2:45 and at that point I realized that I could beat my goal. The time literally flew by. I made sure I took water and Gatorade at the aide stations and downed my Power jelly beans. At mile 11 there was a steep hill down to the riverbank and then it was a running/bike path along the Jordan River until the end. And once again we were heading south and the wind was hitting me in the face. And it was uphill. And I was running out of steam. Along the route someone had taken chalk and written: YOU CAN DO IT! STRONG FINISH! THIS IS YOUR DAY! for the last mile and a half. (There was also a name under all of these, but I just pretended they were for me.) And at mile 12 when I was struggling, a guy gave me a Gatorade, grabbed my hand, looked straight into my eyes and told me, "you've got this! You can do it!" Amazing how these tender mercys could help. But seriously, I was out of gas. I would run and have to walk. And when I would start to walk, I would think to myself, why am I walking? My legs can keep going! It was a little confusing to me. And then I could see the end!!! About .1 mile from the end my parents, brother, sister-in-law, various nieces and nephews and Sam were there. And I was so excited to see them I started to cry. And Sam ran up to me, grabbed my hand and started running with me. "You can do this mom! Let's finish together!"
My brother saw me struggling and told me, "You're okay! You've got this!" And so I did. I ran up to the finish line and there were Nate's parents, Megan, and Nate. I DID IT! Beat my goal. 2 hours and 40 minutes. Booyah.
We all did amazing and had wonderful support from all of our friends and family. I can't wait to do my next one! As soon as my knees heal......
