Marathon 2011

So, I ran another marathon! This time I had a bunch more family there, and more runners too.  Jonathan didn't get to run because he had to work but Dana (my sister-in-law) ran the full, and Robin and Chris, and my cousin Beth Herring all ran the half!  I forgot how exciting race day was, I loved it!

The run was not easy.  We were running against 30 mph winds for a large portion of the race.  And, I got sick at about mile 5 and didn't feel better until the several days later.  Pas bon.  Here I am pretty early in the race (I'm the girl on the edge of the picture, not the one in the middle)

I still somehow managed to keep a pretty decent pace.  We were lucky to have tons of family cheering for us.  Every time I started to get down, my brother Dave would drive past me and park just ahead of me, then he and Dana's grandparents would get out and cheer for me as I ran past.  I was really great, I know the spectators don't always believe that they make a difference, but they really do.  Once Robin, Chris, and Beth finished their half they came to cheer too.  Robin ran with me for a little bit.  It was nice to have someone to talk to!  Later Jonathan's sister, Sarah, ran with me for a little while too!

The last three miles were the hardest.  I walked several times, I was just counting down.  I had to get to the next lamp, the next water station, the next corner, the next mile marker, etc, until I could get to the end.  But, eventually, I arrived!  (See my whole family there cheering?!! How awesome are they!)



I crossed the line at 4:04:49! Beating my goal of 4:15, but just barely missing my other goal of 4 hours (oh well, guess I'll have to do another one)! I got across the line and just sat down.  My legs didn't want to move ever again. 






I came in 12th overall and 2nd in my class! So happy!







We had a tons of support there, and it was awesome! Sarah, My parents and my sister Kadi, my brother Dane and his wife Deena, my brother Dave and his wife Dana's grandparents, and 2 neices and 2 nephews all came just to watch, and that's not to mention the other runners!

 Here's everyone!

 And here are the runners in our matching gear:

 After the race we headed out to Carino's to eat, then Beth and I drove back to Lubbock where we wallowed in pain for several hours, Beth left and I continued wallowing for days. 

It's hard to believe it when you're in pain the next day, but I really think it's worth it.  Race day is just so exciting and crossing the finish line is an awesome feeling.  I have a sneaky suspicion this won't be my last post about racing.