Each Day Is a Gift

I always wake up just before the alarm no matter what time I set it.  Got up at 2:45 so got 4 hours sleep.  Holly and I convinced Lowell to leave the house by 3:30 so we could get to Provo at 4:00 since the last bus is leaving at 4:15.  We ate our breakfast and make Lowell's so he could eat in the car.  We got to the parking lot by the bus ride at 4:08.  I was surprised there were lots of parking spaces left.  There were three buses waiting and we saw Rachelle who was pacing the 4 hr group.  It was so GREAT to see her.  Then I noticed Ryan Hall standing there!  I knew he was running the Half and so was surprised to see him there.  Lowell took our picture with him.  With the sighting of Rachelle and Ryan, the morning is already off to a wonderful start.

On the bus ride, I sat by a fellow from Peru, Jube, who spoke very little English but enough to find out he's 52 and runs 3:35 marathons and hasn't seen his wife and children for 11 years since he's moved to Utah to work.  Got to the start with about 50 min. to spare.  Lowell make himself a bed with space blankets on the grass close to the U-haul while Holly and I headed to the potty lines.  The smoke from the campfire was yicky.  After the first potty trip we walked further up to the shorter line ones and saw Kelli Stevenson which made me so happy!  Then we walked back to where Lowell was sleeping and woke him up.  The announcer said it's last call to drop off our bags.  So I shed my jacket and put in Lowell's bag.  I didn't want to have a drop bag because I had to high tail out of there as soon as I finished.  I did carry my phone with a flip-belt.  He gave Holly and I the space blankets he was sleeping on then we headed to the potty for one last time.  As we're heading to the potties and everyone was heading to the start line, Rhett spotted me!  I was SO happy to see him!!!  Soon after I wished him a good run, Marcie Nielsen (Canyon) spotted me.  She looks awesome.  Found out that her goal is to run 100 marathons by the time she turns 50 (in Jan.) and she's well on her way running a marathon every week! :)  We had time for one last potty stop then headed to the start where I saw Brad (Maynard), gave him a hug and felt that my day is now complete, I've seen everyone I needed to see! :)  So so so happy to see these dear friends whom I haven't seen for over two years! :)

Lowell and Holly jumped in with the 4:15 pace group and I gave them a hug and wished them well.  I knew I was in no shape to run 4:15.  I jumped in at the back of the pack (surprised that there was no 4:45 pace group) and took my sweet time to warm up.  No matter how many marathons one run, the first few miles are always pleasant and easy and I enjoyed chatting with fellow runners.  Somewhere after the first 5Ks, a girl heard me talking as I ran past her and she called out:  "Smooth?"  She looks familiar to me and I couldn't place where I might've met her then she told me she's Amy!  "Ah! Dale's wife!"  When I found out she wants to run faster than her Ogden's time of 5:11, I told her we should go for sub-5 which she said would be a PR and a CR for her!  So I made that our goal!

Running with someone you know or have connections with makes it so much easier and more pleasant.  We chatted and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.  The miles just flew up.  Starting temp was in the low 60s, sunny blue sky and calm.  We walked most of the uphills, thanked the volunteers profusely.  My bladder was filling up at a faster pace than usual so I had to speed up as we approach the aid stations where I'd wait in line and told Amy I would catch up to her.  I did this about 3 times before the half.  Ran the first half in 2:24:xx.   

Ran into Susan Roundy around mile 14ish so ran a mile or so with her and chatted.  She had torn a ligament at the end of last year and decided not to have surgery and now back on running.  The last time I ran with her was at Ogden two years ago with Lowell in pouring rain.  We shared so many inspiring stories then and even more so now!  I am so grateful for great friends I met in the running community.  They have enriched my life tremendously!

It was getting warm but surprising I did not feel the effect as bad as couple weeks ago at Jordan River.  I was able to keep running the uphill towards Bridal Veil Falls.  I told Amy we can walk once we get up there so we can enjoy the beautiful BV Falls.  I felt strong and would pick up the pace.  I saw a young girl bended over to stretch and then she limped away.  As I got closer to her I asked how she's doing.  She said her hip(s) was killing her.  So I offered her two ibuprofen when we approached the next aid station (mile 19, I think?).  There was a very slight headwind at the mouth of the canyon.  Amy began to slow as the course started to level out.  I told her we would only walk when there's shades.  I kept a steady pace and told Amy not to loose sight of me. 

I thanked all the traffic cops, high-fived the spectators and felt great.  At mile 21ish aid station, I looked at my watch and realized if I kept my pace above 10:30, I could finish in 4:45.  Mile 23 was 9:47.  I took a popsicle at the next aid station, walked through the two misters.  I focused on picking off and passing the runners ahead.  The last two miles were 10:09, 10:05 with the last 0.33 mile at 10:03.  Saw my hubby dressed in white shirt and tie, the Robisons at the last 200m and high fived them and crossed the finish in 4:45:45.  I kept jogging a little to fend off any charlie horse.  Maynard was there and totally made my finish to get a hug from him.  Grabbed couple of chocolate milk and walked with hubby to the car which was parked by the Marriott.  I had packed a bag with temple dress and wash clothes, etc.

Got cleaned up in the Marriott's lobby bathroom where there was no one except for one girl who upon seeing my running clothes and medal on the counter asked if I'd run the marathon and how I did.  After I told her I finished 15 min faster than I wanted and asked how she did.  She sheepishly told me she WON the marathon!  Holy cow!  How cool is that to meet the women overall winner in the bathroom 2+ hours after she finished!  We took a selfie!  Then I high tailed out of there and made it to the Salt Lake Temple where we got to witness the sealing of one of our returned missionaries! HAPPY DAY!!!  :)