The Training, The Race, The Numbers

Race Bling

The Training:
64 training runs
111 days
430 miles

The Race:
26.2 miles
4:58

The Fundraising:
25 individuals &  families
$2,300 $2,400 total funds raised

The Result:
1 Happy Girl & many Happy Campers!

If I had to describe my race at the Route 66 Marathon with one word, it would be COLD. When the gun went off at 8am it was 23 degrees with a wind chill of much lower. When I finished nearly 5 hours later the temperature was only 1 degree higher. COLD. I was happy to start the race and run the first eight miles with my friend Kelly, who finished her half marathon despite a painful injury, and then traveled limped around the course with David to help cheer me on. What a friend! I also had the privilege of running with a former camper/staff from Camp Lutherhoma for a few miles. I had just left a pit stop with David when I heard someone behind me call out "SPIDEY!" I stopped in my tracks and got a huge hug from Skippy, aka Chad Fousel. What a treat to catch up with him as we both ran toward our goals.

I had some significant pain from my injuries (probably made worse by the cold), but never ran out of energy or determination, which kept me from ever hitting "the wall." That was what I had been most worried about prior to the race. I remember that 18-24 mile range being so difficult (mental anguish is the dramatic label I gave that feeling during my first marathon in St. Louis). I kept waiting for that hard part to set in, but it never did. I just kept going and feeling pretty great. I think David got a kick out of my one slide into negativity during the race. Around mile 21 the route went through the beautiful TU campus. The cold really started to sink in, I was hurting, and I wanted to be DONE. When Dave spotted me he ran next to me for a bit and asked if I needed anything. My response was, "Unless you can teleport me to the finish, nothing." That finish would come 5 short miles later and I would find my parents, niece and her friend AJ, Kelly, & David cheering for me as I crossed the finish line. A sweet moment that I will remember for a long time.

Most of the races I've participated in have involved trips with my girlfriends. While my girlfriends make for great support & entertainment during a race (and before and after), it was SO special to have my sweet husband on this course with me. He seemed to be at every corner with the sign my kids made for me, ran with me when I was getting discouraged, tied my shoes (then loosened them when I complained about them being too tight), fixed my headband (hence the crazy hair in all my pictures), ran to the car to retrieve pain medicine when things started to hurt. Sometimes I would run by him with a big smile on my face and keep going, sometimes I just needed to squeeze his hand.  But whatever I needed he was there to provide it (unless the request was for teleporation and then he would just tell me, "you're doing good...almost there!"). I could have done it without him, but I am so thankful I didn't have to!

I proudly sported my Camp Lutherhoma shirt, although I was so bundled up you couldn't tell. I am so honored to have this finish count toward something greater than just personal accomplishment (which is pretty great in itself). With your help and support, over $2,400 was raised for the Gayle Ross Memorial Campership Fund at Camp Lutherhoma. This money will be put to work immediately providing full and partial scholarships to many children this summer. THANK YOU!

Last but not least, here are a few pictures from the day:

At the START

About mile 24...running by the cemetery at this point cracked me up

My #1 Supporter, at the FINISH

My parents, Ainsley, & AJ, at the FINISH

Goofballs! Kelly is holding all my stuff because I was so cold I couldn't hold on to anything with my hands.

Got home to find 26.2 balloons on the Subaru, from my other favorite supporters (Bill & Patti and the kids)

Monday morning (the day after) sitting on the floor with my girls at school for Addie's 1st grade feast. The day after my first marathon I was still crying every time I had to bend a leg!I consider it great progress that I wasn't nearly as sore this time around.