Ogden Spring Run Off Marathon 2008

Well I did it! With only sore muscles and a few blisters as a result, I completed my first half marathon :D It began at Eden Park and finished at 25th and Grant in Ogden, right near the temple! My results were the following:

Number	Name	Home Town	Class	Total Time	Net Time	Interval	Back
	4251	Sierra CANOVA	CLINTON UT USA	Half F 19 - 24	02:39:17.34	02:39:17.34	2

Bad? Maybe. My only goal was to finish, and finish I did! It was a beautiful run! The weather was crystal clear and the volunteers at the aid stations were great. I had to be in front of the Ben Lomond Hotel by 5am to get on the bus that would load all of us runners up to the starting line. I ran into Bucky Langston- a previous Clinton resident and member of our ward. His wife was one of my young women's leaders. They've sinced moved to Perry, Utah. Anyway running into him gave me someone to talk with while we waited for the race to start. It was FREEZING. They had bon fires blazing, and music playing for everyone to stay warm. The atmosphere up there at the beginning really gets you pumped to get moving. It was fun :) Once 7am finally we got all lined up and they blew the horn to signify the start of the race. I ran with Bucky for only the first two miles before I couldn't keep up his pace. Didn't see him at all after that! So from then on I ran the race on my own, and ran into a couple people I knew, Cami Peterson, another- more recent leader in the YW's. She was waiting for a member of her Relay team to meet her so that she could run her leg of the course. Later, I ran into Kelly Walker--another past neighbor that has since moved to Eden. Probably the coolest person I know. I ran with her off and on for a few miles-The course was breathtaking. But I only seldom noticed it, cause most the time I was just looking at my next goal...to that tree, to that house, to that aid station..had to have short term goals to keep me moving. It's all mental after a certain point. I feel like I got lucky as far as not hitting a wall. I think the practice run I did the week before really helped me out that way. Gave me an idea of what I could do. Anyway, once I FINALLY came off the ogden river parkway and onto Grant Avenue, the finish line came into view. By now I'd run about 2 hours--and had been passed by 2 of the full marathoners. It's incredible the shape these people are in. They could run double the distance I ran, in a shorter time, unbelievable!! I soon was cheered on by my mom, travis, janae, cassidy, nate, joni, and kennadi. I originally didn't want an audience. But it was wonderful to see familiar faces near the finish giving me that last push I needed. At the finish, my name was announced, I felt a huge relief to be finished, and people swamped me with water, ice, fruit, a medal, and free massages. I couldn't believe how much it HURT TO STOP RUNNING. Man it was painful. I had to keep moving, the idea of just standing did not sound at all appealing. Kelly ran into me again and we had pictures taken, also took some with my family that came to cheer me on.

It was a cool experience.. I think I'll keep running so that I can keep up with this marathon thing. Its a fun hobby and an easy way to stay in shape. Bucky said he's got a spot for me to run the St. George Marathon in October if I want to so---we'll see if I snatch up that opportunity. It's very tough to get a spot in that marathon so I'd be lucky to do that. My only thing is....will I be ready to run a full by October?? I'll try it!
Anyway, I've had a sore couple of days, and some angry feet but my blisters are healing well, and my muscles feeling much better. Thanks to band-aids, antibiotic ointment, and ice packs, i'm almost recovered :) That evening, Saturday, Nate and Joni, had some of us over for a house warming party now that they finally sold their house and are all settled into the apartment. We had ice cream sundays, and played with the kids, and sort of...watched a movie. Kenna Gage and Trevin, Me, Kyle & the Girls (Linds was at work), Janae, and Mike all went over and had a good time. Family is the best...Mom and Dad stayed home with Cassidy who was feeling sick and Travis was out on a date.
Um--I think that's it for now.

LOVE YOU ALL-Remember who you are!