May Goal - Run the Ogden Marathon

My May goal was to train and run the Ogden marathon.  I tried really hard to be in the best physical condition possible.  I tried to make food choices that would fuel my body in a healthy way, I took vitamins every day (which I never do even though my husband sells them!), I made myself get more sleep and I even stopped drinking diet coke for a month (which is a huge thing for me!!)  I followed a tried and true 3 month training schedule and miraculously managed to stay injury free.  I even recruited my running friend to come run the last 3 miles with me to motivate me when I was the most exhausted.  

Several of my friends were running the race so we all went and stayed the night at a house in Huntsville to avoid driving in the bus the next morning and get a few extra hours of sleep.  The morning of the race we set out to drive to the race start.  There was a police barricade and they would only let the buses through.  Panic set in as we faced the very real possibility of missing the race start! We started driving around trying to find a way to get to the top and miraculously saw the last bus heading up the road.  We jumped out and flagged our last hope down.  It was a small victory we made it to the start line.

I tried an Isogenix energy shot on a couple of training runs and I took that right before the race began and I felt fabulous.  The miles flew by as I admired the gorgeous scenery of Pine View Reservoir and felt the energy of the other runners.  I was on pace for my goal time by the half marathon mark and was feeling very excited.  I tried to eat a few gel blocks and drink water and gatorade.  My muscles started to become very sore so I decided to take some ibuprofen.  Bad idea!  Immediately I felt so nauseated and started dry heaving.  I know, I know, who runs marathons for fun you are wondering and so was I.  But I said a prayer and minutes later the nausea left.  My second miracle.  I wound my way down beautiful Ogden canyon trying to get energy from the raging river and cheering crowds.  I dedicated each mile to someone I loved and had fun thinking about each of their great achievements.


I was thrilled to see my friend Holly ready to run with me and tried to absorb her energy but I was completely depleted.  I thought about taking an gu gel.  But decided it was too late.  In hindsight I wish I would have eaten more before and during the race and will definitely study up on race nutrition before I run the St. George marathon with my sisters in October.  It was a slow, shuffle to the finish, but I crossed and managed to qualify for Boston which was exciting.  I missed my goal time by 5 minutes which was disappointing but I did my best so I am forgetting the rest.  I had the miracle of the last bus and my nausea going away and lastly my plantar fasciitis which forced me to drop out of the Big Cottonwood marathon last year did not hurt one bit! My Third miracle!

I loved seeing my cousin Vanessa, Nora's little sister at the finish line and celebrating our survival.