St George Marathon 10-3-2009

October 3, 2009
Started at 4:00 am

Braden, Erika and Dean leaving Hurricane to drop Caitlyn off at the Perry's hotel, then to the park to catch the bus up to the freezing cold start line in Central, Utah.

...and did I mention it was freezing cold. Dean and EJ all bundled up. This was the last time we saw Braden, somehow we lost him in the thousands of runners in the starting area.

A marathon is 26.2 miles. Braden hoped to finish at 3:30. Dean hoped to finish at 3:35. If both had a good run, both had a good chance at accomplishing their goals.
None of us ever saw each other during the run. We all started at different times because we were being timed electronically from the time we crossed the start line to the time we crossed the finish line. Dean ran into trouble at about mile 14 - muscle cramps. Made it almost impossible to run. He was on track up till this point. Meanwhile....Braden was doing great until mile 17 and had to start walking. He started getting muscle cramps at about mile 22. Both had to walk most of the second half. Neither had ever experienced muscle cramps during training runs or previous races. Neither knew the other was going through the same thing. Both were excited for the other for having a good run. They met up after the finish, only to find out they both experienced the same thing. When they got their official times, they learned that they had finished within 11 seconds of the same time. Both got a 4:19. Both were able to finish the race!

I was still plugging along miles behind. I left the start area 15 minutes after the gun went off. My goal was to finish the race, and it would be nice if it was under 5 hours, but I would be happy with just finishing. I had some knee issues 2 days before, so was a little unsure of how this was going to go. As soon as I started running, my knee started to hurt. Just as I was going up to the start line, a friend said.."the pain, it's all in your head." I kept thinking that through the whole race, I can handle it if it is just in my head. Then at about mile 17 the other knee started to have a sharp pain....at least at this point I didn't need to favor one or the other, they both stung. Luckily for me, I was getting a blister on one of my toes that was so painful it took my mind off my knees. I was able to stick with my run/walk plan through the whole race! Didn't need any extra walk breaks. I crossed the finish line at 4:44!

This is after our first marathon. I say "first" because we are already signed up for a spot in next year's marathon through the runners series. It's been great preparing, training, and anticipating this with these guys! Being together at the finish line was great too.

This is my favorite blister I've ever had! The pain from it, which I knew was pain, not injury, made it so I could run the rest of the Marathon trying not to put pressure on it, instead of concentrating on my knees.

Caitlyn thought this would be a lovely photo with the light behind it. Caitlyn was awesome, she came down and took pictures of us, and after the race gave us massages, and took such great care of us....THANK YOU CAITLYN!

We stayed at Rob and Connie's home. They are so fun and encouraging. After the race, Connie had lunch ready for us, loaded with protein, just what we needed. Then they took us to a hot tub to soak these tired muscles. They are awesome.

A quick shower, and loaded up, jumped in the car to head to Kanab for my niece Savanah's baptism. Such a great family. Jaxon gave the opening prayer, one I was so glad to hear...talks by Cristian and Brandon, musical number by Derek, and closing prayer, another thing everyone should expereience, by Jacob. Jeff did the baptizing, and confirmation, and Braden and Cristian were the witnesses. What a great meeting!



We could hold it together for only so long....then we had to be silly. Oh course we had to show off our new Marathon shirts and mediallions.

Makes you think we have some Greek, or would that be Geek ancestors!

How does he still have energy?!


Dean and EJ

Hangin' out and watching conference with the Jensons....does it get any better? This is Brandon and Cristian

Jaxon and Jordan

Derek

Julie, breaking up a fight.....calmly she asks, "which is more important, a toy or a brother?" We all know what Jaxon answered!!!!

Caitlyn, Dean and Cristian....and Jordan

Jaxon and Jacob - these two never stop!

Jacob loves playing with Braden

Jordan, is this the cutest kid ever?

Great weekend. Thanks Jensons, Carriers, and Caitlyn for making it so fun!