The Top of Utah Marathon

So last Saturday I ran the Top of Utah Marathon in Logan. It was my first time ever running one and there is a good possibility that it is my last. Not that I didn't enjoy it or feel like it was worth it, it just takes a TON of time. Time which I am very excited to start using towards something else now. So today I want to document my experiences and feelings of the marathon, feel free to read it or just skip my blabbing and look at the pictures.

I started the day off waking up at 4:00 am. Got dressed then checked and rechecked to make sure that I had gotten everything I needed. Then about five minutes before we were going to leave I realized that I was really hungry. I don't usually eat before I run so I wasn't really sure what to do. They say when you run a marathon do your normal routine, but I also knew that I still had a few hours before the race and if I was going to burn about 2500 calories in five hours I had better have something in me to burn. So I quickly ate a peanut butter and Jelly sandwich and we were off. Thanks McKay for driving me so early in the morning! Here is all of my stuff that I took with me or that I had mckay hold for me...Once I arrived I was able to jump right on a bus and head out. We rode the bus for 45 mins up the canyon to Hardware Ranch. It was freezing up but luckly I found a spot in the small heating tent and sat down to wait. At this point I wasn't really nervous anymore but just anxious to get going. All I could think was, five hours and I will be done! I was also very grateful for my family that I knew was waiting for me. They were how I got through it. I was probably doing half of it for me and half way for them. haha pathetic I know but it worked. When it finally did start I was freezing. I think my hands were numb for the first thirteen miles, but I didn't care because I knew it would get hot soon enough. During the canyon (the first 14 miles) I had to stop to use the little girls room (more like an outhouse) twice. But both stops were SO worth it because I didn't cramp up at all the whole way. The trees were beautiful and I was feeling great up until about mile 8. At that point it was getting harder, but I pushed through that and got a second wind coming out of the canyon. Finally after repeating just keep running I reached the 17 mile mark where my family was waiting for me. It was great to see them and they gave me a much needed burst of energy. McKay and Natalie then ran with me for almost a mile and while we ran they took pictures, here are a few...


Also while they waited at the 17 mile mark they saw the runners who were in first place. They were neck and neck with each other and I am not exactly sure which one ended up winning but here they are. The fastest time was 2 hours and 24 minutes. (I was about half way at that point)
So anyways I past 17 miles and 18. And it wasn't till about 21 miles that things started to get really hard. I stopped around the 22 mile to use the restroom which I was not happy about because it just wasted more time. Thankfully my mom, Mykelti, and McKay surprised me by showing up at mile 21 and then Natalie showed up at mile 23. It was great to see them and it helped me get through those miles that seemed to just drag on! Finally I got about a mile away, I had NO energy but I was excited. I just cept reminding myself that 10 minutes more of pain and I would never have to do it EVER again if I didn't want to. So I pushed through, and as I turned the corner to the finish line I picked up my pace. (mostly for show for my family) And then I finally did it! I crossed the finish line and I haven't run since. I grabed my medal slowly walked toward the chocolate milk, downed it quickly and carefully walked over to my family. It was great to see them and I was just SO happy that I could finally relax and enjoy the fact that I completed my goal. Here are some pictures of me crossing the finish line and with my family. Steven also ran it and this was his 4th marathon this summer. Thanks Steven and Kristen for waiting a few hours for me to finish, it was great having you there at the finish line! And thank you Grandma and Grandpa for coming all the way up to Logan, I sincerly loved the support.

After it was over we headed home I took a shower and then the recovery began. This is me right after my shower, please ignore that I don't have makeup on or my hair done :)
So overall the marathon was easier than I had antisipated yet the training was way too time consuming to do it very often. And surprisingly the hardest part of whole thing has been the recovery. I was SO sore and for two days I could barely walk. And I slept for hours yet was still drained of any energy. Even today I can still feel it, but luckily I think I will survive! Thank you McKay for helping with dishes, dinner, laundry, and allowing me to relax during recovery. So needless to say it was a great weekend. Oh and about all that extra time that I thought I would now have... I went to church Sunday morning and was set apart as the Relief Society secretary. So I have now found what I will be doing with my extra time. :) Thanks for reading, have a good night!