HALF MARATHON OR BUST!!!!

I did it!!!! On Saturday I ran in the 2009 Ogden Marathon. I ran the half marathon, 13.2 miles. I started training for it in the middle of January. My training started out rough. I could barely run half a mile and the thought of running 13.2 miles seemed impossible. I was also training in the winter. Not only was it really cold, but I had to run in snow, rain and hail. But it was all worth it. After 16 weeks of training, I built endurance and stamina and I ran the race with ease.
The race was a really, really fun run. I started in Eden, ran up a hill and had a gorgeous view of the Pineview Reservoir. Then I crossed the dam and ran down through the Ogden Canyon through beautiful pine-covered slopes and steep rock faces, all while running along the Ogden river. I passed a pretty waterfall and many old barns and cabins. The weather was really nice and cool and there were water and food stations every mile. I stopped at mile 6 to eat a gel pack and drink some water and then again at mile 8 to go to the bathroom. This is where I had my setback. I had to wait in line for over 6 minutes to use the bathroom. Then as I took off again down the canyon, my foot landed weird and I injured my knee. I tried walking it off, but it got worse, so for the last 5 miles of the race I gritted my teeth and tried to keep my mind distracted. It’s been 2 days now and I still can’t walk on my knee, just limp. I’m tending to it and hoping it’s nothing bad so we’ll see. I stopped again at mile 10 to eat another gel pack and some water. This is where I came out of the canyon and ran about 2 miles through the Ogden River Parkway and ended the last mile down Grant Avenue and Historic 25th street. I had a great experience. It was exhilarating and I would definitely consider doing it again. Even though I had to wait for the bathroom and slow my pace considerably after hurting my knee, I still managed to beat my goal time. Yea! John, Austin, Anabell, Carol, Dave and Jill all met up with me at the finish line. Dave and Jill, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law also ran the race and it was fun to start the race with them.
I can’t finish this entry without thanking my husband. Since I could never drag myself out of bed at 5:30 in the morning, I had to train when John got home from work. As soon as John got home I would go running and he would hold down the fort while I was gone. At the beginning of my training I could run on the treadmill at home while the two little ones were napping. But when I started running longer miles, I had to run outside. I would run around the city and John would grab the kids and pick me up when I was finished. He has been so supportive and has never once complained. There’s no way I would’ve been successful in my training if it wasn’t for him.
I’m glad to have a break from running for a couple of weeks but I'm already itching to get out and go. I have another race in the middle of June in Bear Lake so I’m crossing my fingers that my knee gets better soon!