Believe to Achieve

Absolute funnest time running with Risa and Nickie!!  Arrived in Layton at 830pm.   Chatted until 11pm.  Slept until 345am.  Drove to Logan in the POURING RAIN at 4:20am.  We were pressed for time because number pick up was until 520am and last bus 5:45am.  Amazingly driving slow in the rain we got there right at 520am.  Got our packets.  Nickie's husband was injured so there you have it.  This was a SUDDEN decision learning this while we were chatting last night.  I had never met Nickie but we totally bonded and they were both wanting a upbeat pacer to be help them run especially now in the rain.  When we got there the rain stopped but all above us were dark clouds.  We got on the bus at 5:40am and took the long ride to the top.  We had 40 minutes at the top to potty and then run for cover just 5 minutes before the race.  YUP DOWNPOUR just after we took off our top layer of clothing for the race.  We were quite drenched for the start but managed to spend the remainder of THAT downpour in the tent.  It lasted about 5 minutes.  WE found large plastic garbage bags and put those on.  But lost those after the first mile.  Still lots of dark clouds but  you could tell that daytime was approaching.  We took about a minute before passing the starting line after the gun went off.  Oh yah just before the start I briefly talked with Allie.  Somehow I knew she could STILL run well in the rain.  So glad this WASN'T the SGM weather.  Who knows?  There was really no plan and when I realized my garmin was only showing the time and for some reason not displaying distance or pace, just a blank spot I decided it just didn't matter and I was running whatever pace Risa wanted to.  Her goal was originally under 4 hours but a few times she would interject how the rain and lack of training would make her fall apart at mile 20 or so (she ran two 20s so  I knew she would be okay).  I would tell her how do you know, maybe you will feel great and not ever feel a wall.  We removed our jackets (nickie and I at mile 3) and Risa at mile 9.  Every mile I would stop and take a picture of the mile marker and then turn around and take a picture of Risa or run ahead of them, stop, and take a picture.  I got several comments about having too much energy to take all the pictures.  We pretty much  found ourselves with the TWO 3:50 pacers all the way until mile 20.  Risa needed to walk longer through the last few aid stations.  I would hold their stuff or pick up things they dropped but I didn't have to help them thru aid stations.  They walked.  I would hand the camera to some strangers to also get some photos of me as Risa and Nickie wanted them  They decided that I need to sell my services as a marathon pacer/photographer and they feel very strongly that people would hire me.  Never thought of that as an occupation.  But perhaps I should : D.  Talk about loving my job.  Risa is all set to set up my web page.  I had a blast.  EVEN at mile 11 when it began to DOWNPOUR FEROCIOUSLY and then HAIL for 7 miles!!  It was all too comical for Risa's first marathon.  She would doubt herself and her ability to run in weather like this but then TOTALLY persevere through it.  IT WAS TRULY INSPIRING.  AND to be back in the pack with all the other runners running ahead then snapping pictures of picturesque moments and people it was so cool.  Much more exciting then running a fast half marathon.  I even got to stop at three porta potties then  I would run a little pick up pace to catch up to Risa.  One time it took just over a mile to catch her.  Nickie was always right there.  Sometimes she would be right beside us sometimes just behind or ahead.  We gave no one any pressure to run faster.  Just finish and finish without crumbling.  Risa was even cheering other runners to stay strong.  She totally ROCKED it all.  She never gave up. It is hard to describe HOW AMAZING this run was for me.   It was the I- ChING of running. The YOGA moment of life.   It was super.  The countryside was so beautiful, the twists and turns and minor hills were just that.  All the volunteers were wonderful, and the spectators were fun to wave and give high fives too!!   At mile 23 Risa told me NOT to let her WALK again and that she was going to run and try to sprint the last .2.  So at the little blib of a hill, which at mile 25 of a marathon feels like a mountain, I looked over and she had started to walk so I turned back and strong and firmly grabbed her left arm with both my hands and literally pulled her up the hill and I told her "Risa you told me not to let you walk, YOU CAN DO THIS YOU ARE THERE.  She began to run as I pulled her. I said  IT IS JUST A SHORT HILL AND when she crested her strength was renewed and she continued strong to the finish.  SO INCREDIBLE.  I would do this kind of thing EVERY DAY.  I couldn't ask for a better way to help a friend accomplish a goal!!  Nickie was right there and at one point just before the finish I took a picture of them holding hands then they finished only seconds apart-- about 7. Risa. Then me then Nickie as I stopped just before the finish line to take a picture of the finish balloon and turn around to snap a picture of Nickie at the finish.  And Risa as she had crossed earlier.    Running is the answer to all ailments.  At least it usually feels that way to me.  LOVE RUNNING.    **funny competitve part in me story during this race--- around mile 5 or so when we were leapfrogging constantly the 3:50 pacer dude because of our walking through aid stations and stopping at the timing clocks for a photo etc... I was right in front of him and looked back after passing him and he said "hey I know you....I passed you at Bryce Canyon last year (meaning 2010) in the last 1/2 mile!!"  Of course he is yelling this to his WHOLE pacer group so  I had to yell out-- WELL (thinking how in 2010 I was injured for the race so I wouldn't be rude and say that to him).... instead I said "well I ran 1:26 there this year....and then we started talking about Mt Nebo half and he talked how his buddy ran a 1:10 and of course I had to tell him I ran a 1:19 just to shut him up  : D).  I got a few chuckles with that conversation....and one lady said "who in the heck am I running with?".  And then I proceeded to speed up and take more snap shots.  We found him at the finish and he is like "what did you end up running it in with all your stops and picture taking?"  yahta yahta yahta WE eventually realized we live in the SAME STAKE one mile from each other and have never LITERALLY RUN into each other.  He really is a nice guy.  So it was fun to officially meet him and not be competitive.