Run Mom, Run!

So many times I sit with my computer open, trying to write what I am feeling about the last run, the last race, the last training exercise that made me want to leap for joy and cry for pain at the same time.  I have felt so many emotions this spring while I have been training and racing.
Defeat.
Fear.
Victory.
Complacency.
Stretch.
Pain.
Joy.
Confidence.
Strength.
In the past 6 weeks I have run 2 full marathons, and the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay. 

The first was Ogden.  Training was rough!  I got ITBS in the middle of my training, and I doubted whether or not I would even be able to make it to the start.  This was nothing new.  I pushed forward.  My Aunt Kathy passed away a week and a half before the race.  I was overcome with grief- I would rather cry than run.  My heart had moved from my goals, to much more important things.  Come race day, as I was riding up on the bus I was so humbled as I thought about the task that was before me.  I was going to run a full marathon!  One day, I wouldn't be able to do this anymore- that wasn't that day.  No matter my goal time, I was happy and humbled to finish.  I ran a 3:38:52, 4 minutes off my goal time.  I ran into the finish with Annie, and I wouldn't have changed a single moment of the race.

While I didn't regret my time at Ogden, I knew I could hit my goal if I just had one more chance.  Our plane was delayed for our flight to Seattle, so I did what any normal person would do- I registered to run the Utah Valley Marathon last minute.  I was so nervous for this race.  I didn't tell anyone about it- it was all me.  Personal.  I had sweaty hands and feet the entire day before the race!  As we started, I kept it positive.  I even told myself that the wind was just "air conditioning."  I wouldn't let the mental part of racing get in the way of what I knew I could do.  I ended up running 3:32:51.  6 minutes faster than Ogden only 4 weeks before, and I qualified to run the Boston Marathon.  I was so proud of myself!  I knew I could do it!

Then last weekend I ran the Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back.  This is my favorite race, and marks the 4 year anniversary of my first race EVER.  Crazy!  I was runner 11 this year.  I ran 7.6 miles up Old Snow Basin Road, 5.5 miles around Rockport Reservoir, and 9.8 miles up over Guardsman and down to Park City High.  It was brutal!  I was more sore after this leg than I was after either of my marathons.  My team was awesome- chuck full of inspiring mothers and great friends.  We ended up placing 3rd in the Women's Open Division by running the race in 31 hrs 10 min.  I still can't believe it!

Van 2 Runners!  Jenn Robinson, Jenn Jackman, Emily Rodriguez, Cathy Kendall, me, Sara Edwards

Stoked on Socks!  Back: Rheana Bigham, Breona Carter, Katie Nelson, Sara Edwards, Cathy Kendall, Jenn Jackman, Emily Rodriguez, Front Row: Marcae Rosenval, Mindy Kohler, me, Jenn Robinson

I. LOVE. THIS. SPORT.