Each Day Is a Gift

Wow! The last time I posted on my blog here was TWO years ago...same Sat. when I ran to the AF Canyon Half finish to see Gary and had a miserable training run!

Today I ran the Morgan Valley Marathon.  I deferred it from last year (due to hubby's very ill) so therefore I had a "free" entry, so decided to run it even though it's only been two weeks since I ran Utah Valley which was also deferred from last year (due to attend my grandson's baptism in TX). 

Anyhow, MVM is in its7th year (my first), all previous 6 years were at the end of July, but they changed it to end of June this year.  The course is beautiful, quiet farmland, gentle rolling, start and finish at the Morgan Fair Ground with the Full starting at 5:30. 

Hubby and I took our motorhome and stayed at the River Brige RV Park which is right by the Fair Ground on Fri. for packet pick up and pasta dinner.  The swag was amazing.  Met up with Lowell and the RD, Tara who gifted me last year's shirts and medal, so kind and generous. 

Race morning got up at 4:30, ate breakfast and walked to the start at 5:25.  Lowell was late so we were the last two to cross the start at 5:33.   Temp was probably in the low 50s, there was a stiff head wind the first half mile heading southwest, but not a problem when we turned on 100E going north.  We caught up to two ladies (who turned out to be in my AG) within the first mile.  The roaming aid station was a jeep driven by two women.  I asked if they could carry Lowell's bacon because he's forgotten his fuel belt.  He informed them that he would need it around mile 10.  They did just that. 

We had a lot of fun the first half even though Lowell had some stomach issues requiring  him to hide behind some bushes.  It took us 2:45 to run the first half.  By then he was done.  I had to use all kinds of tricks to keep him going.  He had to use the bushes couple more times.  When we got to around 15, he wanted to quit and went into the gas station across from the aid station.  He said he would take a ride with the Jeep and meet me at the next aid station.  Well, I decided to wait for him in the gas station.  That stop took  over 15 min. 

For the next 10 miles,  Lowell would get in the jeep every time it came by and I would keep on running ahead to the next aid station where he would be waiting.  I'd get him to run with me but he was clearly spent and could only jogged may be 400m and then walked.  I would run back to get him going.  I told him we would only walk in the shades (there were some cottonwood trees sparesely scattered). 

The last 2 miles were not fun.  My right shin started to cramp when I stopped at the Jeep to get Lowell.  I got some ice to put in my hat and bra.  Lowell made me eat a piece of bacon which is his magic anti-cramp potion! :) :) :)  I just wanted to get it done.  I know we had to check out of the RV park by noon.  So if I finished under 6 hours I would have 30 min to shower, eat and get out of there.

Crossed the finish in 5:49:01.  I had run 26.75 miles.  Tara gave me a hug and handed me a bottle of water and said to share it with my hubby.  She's been keeping track of hubby to make sure he drinks and not overheat.  Then I turned back and ran Lowell in! 

65th marathon in the book...glad I did it!