Each Day Is a Gift

This was one of my most unprepared marathons.  Hadn't run much since UVM in June.  Been busy with planning my son's wedding and enjoyed having my grandchildren home the last couple months.  Did a painfully slow 20 miler two weeks ago and called it good. 

Hitched a ride yesterday with RAD (she and MarcieW were pacers for 3:55 and 4:00).  Knowing that I would need to have my bag with me at the finish, I packed very light, just my race clothes/shoes/watch, toothbrush and washcloth.  We arrived at the Expo shortly after noon where Lowell met me.  He and Susie treated me to lunch at Butter Burr's.  It's always a pleasure to visit with them.  Then we went to the pasta dinner and listened to the speaker, Paul, a wheelchair athlete who motivated me to meet challenges with courage.  Went to bed around 11pm after taking a Tylenol PM at 9.  Made Lowell promise to get out the door early enough so we won't miss the bus.  Last year, we nearly missed the last bus if weren't for MarcieW holding the bus for us since Lowell had her bib.

Woke up before the alarm with 45 min to do the morning stuff.  Looked for something to eat or drink and was surprised that there was only banana for breakfast.  Lowell had some throw-away gloves for me and a ring with blinking lights.  As we drove around the corner and pulled into the parking lot, we saw the last bus pulling away.  So, Lowell went with Plan A (which he wanted to do in the first place)...drove to JoEtte's house which is about half mile from the start.

By the time we parked at JoEtte's house, Lowell put on his warm-up pants, walked up to the Start, we had may be 10 min before the race start (6:15am).  The PoP line was long and we were still in line when the 10 yo girl sang the National Anthems.  Needless to say the race started while I was still in the honeybucket. 

Start temp was in the mid 30s, clear sky.  I found myself running in the dark at the back of the pack and heard Lowell's hacking cough from behind.  He passed me and took off chasing after the 4:20 group.  I was planning on starting with the 4:45 group, so figured I'd gradually catch up with them (I did around mile 3 and passed them).  Somewhere in the second mile I spotted Brent Z.  We ran together and with another lady till the out-n-back at mile 7 and the first uphill.  I let them go and watched for Lowell and my friends on the opposite lane coming down.  Saw MarcieW, KarenT, Amanda and Brett...but not Lowell or RAD. 

Temp was perfect, calm (at this point), clear blue sky.  Although it's not as green as in years past. 

Took a Gu at the aid station just before mile 8.  Used the PoP at mile 14.  Leaped frogged with a girl wearing a sign "Running for my Dad".  I love hearing inspiring stories from fellow runners.  That's the beauty of running at the back of the pack.   Ran the half in 2:15:xx.  Soon after the half, the pack thinned out significantly and we were all strung out running on the old highway next to the railroad.  Loved it when a train go by with its choo-choo! :) 

The occasional canyon tailwind (which is not as perceivable) quickly turned into side wind as we turned west in Inkom.  Somewhere around mile 16, I spotted Lowell upahead.  He was walking.  I gradually caught up to him and jokingly thanked him for waiting for me.  In a defeated tone of voice, he announced that he's finished, done!  I asked what's wrong? are you hurting? are you tired? did you eat your bacon?  He simply said: "I'm used up, nothing left in me.  I tried doing 3:1 with the Maniacs and couldn't keep up with them.  I could only do 1/10th of a mile and had to walk."   I encouraged him to run with me.  He ran may be 100 yards and then walked.  I stayed with him until he insisted that I leave and he went off the roadside to pick up some disgarded gloves. 

I soon saw TJ driving back on the course and knew that Lowell had called him.  At mile 18, they pulled up alongside and told me they'll meet me at Century High.  TJ took my gloves which was not a smart move because within five min. my hands were freezing. 

I should mention that as soon as we turned north around mile 16, we encountered a 15-20 mph headwind.  The wind literally took my breath away.  I had to use my inhaler which unfortunately has expired a year ago.  At the mile 18ish aid station, I took two ibuprofens and salt caps and third Gu.  I kept telling myself, just make it to Century HS.  There were zero spectators this year (possibly due to the colder temp).  I walked most of the uphill under the freeway overpass at mile 21. 

I saw no one waiting at the Century HS as I approached.  Just as I got there, Susie pulled up and gave me a hug, then TJ pulled up and I waited for Lowell to get out.  He's revived!!! apparently TJ had gotten him a Dr. Pepper.  He had also peeled the timing chip off his bib.  It's now his mission to run with me and let me draft off him.  Susie would track us along the way just in case Lowell called it quit again!  Seriously, he was my hero, running the last 4+ miles with me.  It would've been an ugly lonely finish if weren't for him. 

#59 done!  They had the best post-race food ever at Pokey.  Sizzler was one of the sponsors this year.  We had steak kabob, rice pilaf, baked potato, water melon, chocolate milk.  Susie drove me, Lowell, Karen and Evan Tree back to Clarion Inn. where RAD and MarcieW let met shower in their room before RAD drove us back to Salt Lake.  I'm so blessed to have such wonderful friends as RAD who takes such good care of me!

Best part of the afternnon was home with hubby watching BYU beat Nebraska with a hail mary last second TD!  GO COUGS!!! :)