I run therefore, I am!

First off before I start this report I wanted to point out this is my 10th year of running since my wreck. It was my 10th year running St. George Marathon. What a great way to celebrate! I rode the bus up with Sarah my 18 year old who was running her first marathon and my wife Misty and Danielle my neighbor and partner in crime. It was cold but I always seam to do best in cold races. Plus there was a tail wind!  I got the new St. George Running Center Team jersey and wow did we look great! Thanks Steve Hooper!  The race started and I was honestly trying to hold myself back but kept hitting 5:30 times.  I got settled after a few miles and ran next to Clyde and felt good with the pace but he had more strength than I did going up Veyo. So I was alone and ok with it. I stayed at a distance from him. At mile 13 I stopped to blow my nose. I have been battling a cold for a week and had a runny nose. It felt good to clear it out to breathe.  So I really felt ok hitting 1:18 at mile 13.1.  I figured I would be in the 1:16 range but I felt good and thought I could make a plan to push it a bit. I still waited for the downhill around 15. I started hitting 5;30 pace once again.  I got to mile 18 and Mandi Mcbride was there with a drink and electolyte tablets and ran in the 5:40 range with me the entire 2 miles of her helping me. Thank goodness because there is a crappy incline at19 and some rollers. She broke away at mile 20 and I had 10K to go. I was at 1:57:50 at that mile. I thought in my head I was golden for a 2:34ish at that point. I got to mile 23 and Christie Krompel got her revenge on me from me pushing her a couple of weeks ago in Big Cottonwood Canyon marathon. She was a cussing and stomping and throwing water around! OK so I was exaggerating on the stomping and throwing part.  My mind honestly was so gone I couldnt even focus my eyes. I was zoned out but I was reminded constantly by her yells to get my damn head in the race.  I got dizzy at mile 24 and was actually running behind her and using her bright green shorts as a guide to run straight. She helped me with a water at mile 25 and reminded me every minute to stay in it. push hard. My legs at that point were gone. I would usually start walking at this point but she wouldnt let me and I felt an urgency to stay on my plan. I did fade to a 6:30 pace but honestly I wouldnt have finshed without her awesome paybacks!  I loved it! She is a true friend and athlete! I love her family, I feel a part of them everytime we are together! I really felt great today and had a great comraderie with friends afterwards.  I truely am at peace when I run and im in this environment.