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[Image]The marathon was sponsored by Under Armor - and we got the best t-shirts

My Marathon Journey.
Before I write the details of the day with photos, I thought I would share some personal feelings (I really never planned to post these publicly but now wonder why not) about how and why I trained to run the best 26.2 miles of my life. I am still on such a high from the day. I woke Jeff up at 6:30 this morning and said, "was that not just the best day ever!" neither of us can walk very well or even roll over but in our misery he agreed.
It is long so I tried to add some photos of the day to make it more interesting.


[Image]The cool time tracker chips that we wore on our shoe
April 16th, 2007
The past two weeks I seem to cry everyday. I am not sure about what, but I do. I feel like I am "waiting for my real life to begin". (from a Colin Hay song given to me by Jill which is listed in my reason why I did the marathon)
I sat down at the computer today and just googled marathons. Something I have always wanted to do. I can not run down the street let alone, 26 miles, but I just want to do one some day. I don't know what I am waiting for.
So, I looked up lots of marathons and have heard that St. George is a easy first one to run. I didn't call one of the million of friends I have that run to see what they think, I just signed up. I signed up both my husband and I. Then I emailed Jeff and said, "I need your help to run a marathon, will you run with me?"
It is October 6th. And I am going to do it. I feel I need to show myself how strong I am.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007 Today I walked on the tred mill at the gym. 4 miles it took me one hour and 28 mintues.(at this point I could not even run one minute)Monday, April 23, 2007 [Image]
so hot.

Summer has not even hit and it was so hot at 10:00 am.

I was going up a small hill, pushing this 50 pound double jogger and thinking as bad as I feel now it is nothing compared to the depression and heart break i seem to have felt for the past month. if anything this is cheaper than therapy.

4.5 miles in the morning.

Nicole called and wanted to go walking tonight so I went another 4.5 at night. got home at 11:00 pm - so tired!
Sunday, April 29, 2007 end of week results

Monday - 9 miles
Tuesday - 4 miles
Wednesday - 4.3 miles
Thursday - 2.5 miles. I was in a poo poo mood today and doing that was like pulling teeth!
Friday - 4.3 miles
Saturday - 6.3 miles first time in two weeks I have walked by myself and not pushing the 50 pound stroller. I was so nice. My ipod ran out of juice so half of it was silence. Kind of nice. I found two garage sales on my journey.

total about 30 miles. running for one minute every 7 minutes of walking.[Image]Wednesday, May 2, 2007 6.75 miles in 1 hour and 39 minutes

I ran one minute out of every 7 today. I am waiting till next week to go to every six minutes, but I feel myself wanting to run sooner. a good feeling.

the past two days I feel like I have tears in my eyes the whole time I am out. I seem to let my mind race without feeling guilty while I walking. I think about things i have done, wished I had done and want to do and I just seem to be so emotional.

Caroline sleeps in the stroller almost every morning which is so nice.

Walking past all the lavenders and getting a good whiff keeps me going.

Still have told no one that I am planning on doing this. We find out on May 8th if we made the lottery or not. Don't know what I will do if we don't. Find a closer marathon I guess.
[Image]our shoes set out the night before the big race with the chips attached. I put three pink beads to remind me of my three girls and when ever I wanted to quit I would look at that and think of how proud they would be of me when I finished.
Thursday, May 3, 2007 5 miles... I think

Today my Garmin lasted about 20 minutes and then went out on me. What to do? This is my whole measurement of time and miles. I won't know when to run and when to stop.
It was probably a mixed blessing. I just ran when I felt like it and stopped when I could not run any more.

I stopped by Katie A. house and we walked for a little bit together. Then I let the girls play at the park for awhile. Because I had no watch I had no concept of time and just let the girls play and they had a great time. We invented this new way to swing together. Caroline sitting on me, Sally Jane sitting on Caroline. We giggled and laughed.

I knew I was a task oriented person before starting this, thus why I picked a goal to go for. But today not having any time measurement reminded me, I like a start and a finish. Doing something to just do it, is not really me. I need goals to follow and I think I do better just doing them and not talking about them, I still have not peeped a word to anyone.

It was good Katie was counting on me to stop by or I think I would have spent the day in my pj's.

[Image]May 4th 2007
Zero Miles
last night i spent the whole night in the ER with a kidney stone. Jeff was out of town so Linda S. took me and stayed the whole time with me at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
The whole time I was in there I kept thinking to myself, "you are still going walking tomorrow"
well, the way I feel I am afraid I won't be going out until Monday.
I got the best phone call today from my friend Kim G. in Tennessee. I have not talked to her in 4 months and she called and left a message. She has known I wanted to run a marathon some day. she called to tell me she just did one. She was not a runner when I knew her but now is. Her call was inspired. I told her of my plan to do one this year, even when I was saying it out loud I could not believe I said it.
I am feeling so horrible I could not even finish talking to her on the phone, but am so excited to hear all about her journey. What a blessing today to get her phone call.
[Image]the night before with my new shirt - I was so proud!
Monday, May 7, 2007 5.5 miles

today was my first day to start running every 6 minutes. I did that for about 30 minutes and then met up with my friend Nicole to walk the rest of the way.

I was so excited to get out the door after my weekend of passing the lovely kidney stone. Oh yuck! it was miserable.

I had just been thinking last week, "What is it going to take for me to drink more water?" well this definitely worked. And i have not had a diet coke since Friday. we shall see how long that lasts.

I just loved walking around the neighborhood today, the lakes the green, the flowers! If it was not so dang expensive to live in this neighborhood, I would never leave!

Tomorrow, I find out if we made it in the lottery for St. George. My hopes of doing so are so low, but i am already exploring other options.[Image]all the gear and free stuff that came in our packets.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 I woke up this morning at 6:30 am so excited to see if we got into the marathon in St. George.

I am glad my friend Kim had said it was hard to get into, because I would have been even more devastated when I saw that my name was not on the list. I was like a teenager running to see their name on the board for something at school.

I just sat here and looked at the computer.

what was I thinking I could just sign up and do this? Then I scroll down and see my marathon runner brother in law (he has run the Boston Marathon like 200 times...) on the list and then I think oh my what was I thinking. I was really sad and embarrassed, but since I had really only told Kim it was OK. she will like me no matter how dorky I am.

OK so off to find another Marathon to run. Baltimore?Thursday, May 10, 2007 [Image]my list of running books
Wednesday June 6, 2007
What i am running?

I think I ran 75% of the time today. (and today was my day i was just going to try to get out of the house) I could not believe it. my ankles are killing me and my feet are throbbing. I can not believe how proud of I am of myself.

My friend Nicole drove past me today and honked and I started crying. I am such a baby!

I kept thinking about my feet hurting tonight and thought to myself, as bad as this pain is, nothing is worse than how depressed I felt a few months ago.
6.3 miles wooo hooo!!
Saturday, June 16, 2007 [Image]long run today
7.6 miles

today is my long run. even though i still have not sat down and figured my schedule for the marathon, i knew i needed to go at least 7 miles so I went 7.6.
Jeff took Annie Kate to the swim meet and I had the girls and the red sleigh. It was tough today, they dropped their shoes 3 times, both of their soupies and my ipod was not charged so I did it with no music.
at about 6 miles we stopped at the farmers market in our neighborhood and bought a bucket of raspberries and sat and ate them. The girls were very restless.
I had one guy who was probably in his early 70's walk past me and say, "I really admire your stamina" how nice was that! It made my day.
One lady in her 50's in the cutest pink and orange out fit was walking out her door for what looked like a long run with her water belt attached came up to me as asked if she could push the stroller for a minute. She said oh my this is so heavy! then she said now her run will fill like a breeze because she is not pushing that. oh how true she is.
i loved not having my ipod on today because people seem to be more friendly to you when you don't have it on. I always say hello or good morning to everyone I walk by, but i got a better response today.
it was a great run but I seemed to do a little more walking today than I would have liked.
I wore this new awesome tank I got at REI from Hind for only $14.00. It is a bra and tank all in one - I need 5 of these! The blessing of being a size A is paying off for the first time in my life. I better stick with running to make it worth it.
[Image]the frozen bag of beans Anne gave me that I used for 6 months to help with the pain
Sunday, June 17, 2007 Appreciating the Sabbath.

I have never looked so forward to Sunday as I have training for this marathon. It has really made me look forward to a good day of rest. That has been a blessing considering that our Sunday's are anything but restful and this training has reminded me of what an awesome day this is.

Last weeks total - 27 miles
miles today - zero![Image] Jeff's stuff laid out the night before.
He signed up for a 3:50 pace group but finished in 3:40 - is that not so amazing!
Monday, June 18, 2007 HOT!

oh my today was so hot. my eyes were stinging from the sweat dripping from my forhead.

I have not been feeling so hot these past two days and thought I may have had a bladder infection. And at 4:30 am I knew something was so wrong and felt horrible. By the time the girls got up I thought there is no way I am running today! But at 9:30 am the itch out weighed the pain. I could not beleive what I was feeling, I wanted to go even though I was sick! I was even excited to go running.

I went 3.5 miles and the whole time felt like I needed to rush to the bathroom, but I kept thinking I really don't need to go, so just keep on running.

I was surprising proud of myself for just pushing myself up a few hills that normally I would walk but I enjoyed feeling the pain of pushing through it. Now that is crazy talk!

I came home and got a call from Fleet Feet that my shoes are in and I am so excited to go see if they work.
[Image]This was the book I used and loved it!
The Non-Runner's Marathon TrainerTuesday, June 19, 2007 Hotter.

today I could only got 2.5 miles. it was so blazing hot I turned around and back to the pool with the kids. They were screaming the whole time in the stroller and I had only even put just a diaper on Sally Jane because it is so hot! This summer training thing may be harder than I thought!

2.5 miles[Image]yes to Anne and Chloe this is the BEST stuff, I had no chaffing!
Thursday, June 21, 2007 hurting feet

yesterday i didn't run or do anything. my feet were killing me and I took my free time to go buy some new shoes. So today I was excited to try them. In 5 minutes I could tell the would not work. There is not enough room in the toe box! I think I need to go back and stick with Brooks. I think I now have a blister on my foot and came home and soaked them in a bucket of ice!

I went 5.5 miles. My ipod nano is broken so I used Jeff's shuffle, I don't like how the songs won't go in the order I like and the battery went out. It was so hot and the girls screamed in the stroller for the first 20 minutes of my hour and a half in the blazing sun. Not the best day. But hey I got a great tan!Friday, June 22, 2007 lots of pain

today is a day off. i would normally go to the gym but am in so much pain. I even called my friend, who's husband is a foot surgeon to see if I could come talk to him. I am afraid i may have over done it. The shoes are going back but not sure what to do about getting new ones.

Lots of ice today and bags of frozen beans. (thanks Anne!)

miles Zero![Image]Jeff and I at the starting line all fresh and ready to go
Saturday, June 23, 2007 learning so many, many things.

today was an 8 mile run. Even though I still have not figured out what schedule i am really following, i figured that last Saturday I did 7, then today I should do 8. ( i admit this is not wise and will sit down with a calendar this week)

When I started all this I really did it to fulfill a goal and "stretch" myself mentally and did not even think of the physical aspects of it all. But they are starting to pay off. I think I have lost a little bit of weight and could really tell a difference in the mirror. I was thinking how fun it is to do something like this with some weight to lose because if you were just really skinny when you started then there would be no physical changes to all the hard work.

I almost could not sleep last night I was so excited to run this morning. I even got up at 3:30 am and looked at the clock to see if it was time yet. And yes, this is the same person who was so depressed 2 months ago when I started this project.

I got a new IPOD shuffle to just clip on my shirt as my nano bit the dust this week. I had it all charged up and ready to go.
This was the first day I have run with out the big double jogger in about 10 days and it made such a difference not having to stop and pick up crocs and blankets.

I was thinking today as I was running what I have learned from all of this so far. Here a few things.

This has taught me so much about patience! I want to be the girl on the Nike ad so bad, but just can't right away and have to do the work to get there.I think I actually my do the marathon. I am telling a few more people now and not being so hush, hush about it.I believe I lived before I came to earth. I believe one of the reasons that I came to earth was to get a body. There are certain things I need to learn with this body that I could not learn otherwise. I have learned a whole new appreciation for pushing myself, trying harder and believing in me, from this physical challenge. It was an awakening for me today for sure. I even lifted my arms in the air like I was crossing the finish line for part of the run, with excitement for my new found thoughts.I have never done this before, but after my run I knelt in prayer by my bed, thanking Heavenly Father for giving me the body to do what I did today and asking for help to complete my goal and then I cried, so many tears of joy.I am realizing that Jeff will not be running with me. He is getting the itch to qualify for the Boston Marathon. He is not sure if he can do it, but really wants to push himself to try. It scares me to do this without him by my side and wonder if that is also a lesson I need to learn.

I am so proud of myself today and just happy to have this wonderful body! but have been using lots of ice packs today. and my knees are hurting for the first time.

today 8 miles
[Image]Jeff waiting in line before the race - this was our biggest worry getting as much out before we started
Sunday, July 1, 2007 oh so sick.

Well, this week has not gone as planned. I never planned on having my kids throw up all at the same time all week long. And I never planned on throwing up with them.

In my normal life, the past 36 years, I would have picked this week to quit this marathon project saying, "oh i missed a week i guess I can't do it anymore"
But the new me that is "stretching" myself is saying. OK so i missed a week, that means I have to work twice as hard next week. (oh i hope that works)

It amazes me what little sentiments that Jeff says to me make a difference. I think he could tell this week how frustrated I was with just sitting around and he put his hand on my leg and just said, "Patience" which is yet another lesson learned in this process for me.

i am sure it is a mixed blessing that we have all been so sick this week, because my feet are killing me. seriously killing. I seem to have small bruising around my ankles and a swelling on my right foot. Our friend the foot guy looked at them on Wednesday and said I have probably been pushing it too hard too many days a week. He suggested just running 3 days a week and waiting 4 days to go back on them. If I as not sick even though they hurt so bad, I am sure I would have gone back out on the road because I am so afraid of losing my momentum and motivation.

I hope this week brings good things, but I am so nervous about not being able to complete this goal right now....

week total 3.5 miles!! yikes[Image]me running into Camden Yards Baseball stadium to find the finish line just waiting for me.
Friday, July 6, 2007 back on the road

tonight was my first night back in a week on my feet after our family flu. It is probably a blessing because the pain I have been feeling in my feet were like none other.

I was so excited to get out and run! I ended up getting out away from the house a little too far and went about 5 miles. I really didn't want to do more than three, but I got a little over anxious.

I almost felt like I was flying the first mile or floating on the street.

Tonight I realized I have got to loose some serious weight. My knees were killing me and I thought I am carrying 50 pounds on them that don't need to be there.

I am having feelings of - there is no way I am going to be able to do this, what was I thinking and I will for sure be the last to finish the race.

I am such an impatient person, I want what i want when I want it, this experience again tests and strengthens my patience.

I need new shoes bad!

Week total 5 miles - oh this is going to hurt me in the end.
[Image]this guy ran and jumped rope the entire marathon and never
looked like he was even trying or broke a sweat
Tuesday, July 10, 2007 4.75 miles in the HEAT!

Oh my what was I thinking going out in this heat. I left at 9:00 am and only with a single jogger. Caroline is in Bible school this week. I thought I would be fine. after 3 miles I was spent. It was everything to push myself to walk the rest of the way. If I would have had a cell phone I would have called a friend to pick me up... seriously.
I kept thinking today of how much I need to lose weight and that I am going to be doing this marathon with 45 extra pounds then I need. I wonder what real marathon people think of overweight people like me who show up on race day and think I am going to do it too.

Today I really wished my thighs did not rub together.Wednesday, July 11, 2007 3.25 miles

tonight at 10:00 pm I went out my door ipod in hand and garmin on. it was actually breezy and so nice. I had to wait till tonight since yesterday I felt like I was going to die of heat stroke.
I ended up knocking on my friends door to see if she wanted to walk with me. so I didn't run. I am such a sissy about being out there at night.
It was great, no pain, brisk walk and great conversation.
Now I feel the pressure for this week though since I have really taken my two days off, one being at the gym and tonight walking and we have company coming in town. I wonder if I can still keep my marathon training a secret.[Image]getting some much needed water when I was done
Thursday, July 12, 2007 Today I got to go running when Jeff came home from work, which meant no jogger! yea. What a difference.

As I was getting ready to run over the lake there was a lady in front of me taking a casual stroll. It took me a minute to catch up to her so I was watching her walk. Her arms were just swinging back and forth, not much effort in her stride and she looked like she was absolutely enjoying herself.
this is then what went through my head:

dang I wish that was me. why do I have to live in extremes and not just start exercising but have to run a marathon. If I wasn't running a marathon I could be like that lady. I want to just go for a walk and not worry about pushing myself.

I then was reminded of a time on my mission where my companion (who was a little crazy) said "if we never would have been a mission we would not be in trouble for sleeping in. (wake up was 6:30 am) Sleeping in is not wrong, but if you are on a mission it is"
I always thought this was such a crazy way at looking at life - but then realized I was thinking the same thing with the lady going for a casual walk. I always wanted to explain to my companion the incredible experience it was to go on a mission and with the sacrifice of getting up came so many more blessings and gifts.

For me training for this marathon has been a bit of a sacrifice, not a lot - but some. But the rewards have been incredible for me.

I did ok running today. I am just really really slow and becoming fine with that. My ultimate goal is to just finish and I need to remind myself of that.
I don't want to finish that day and think even an ounce of failure!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007 [Image]those dang clouds tricked me.

I got up this morning thinking it would be nice and breezy outside because it was overcast. those clouds were laughing at me when i started my run at 10:00 am - because they were just holding in the heat.
It was so hot and I was getting so frustrated with the double jogger today. no one should have to train for a Marathon pushing a 2 year old and a 3 year old. I stopped and had to turn around to pick up a dropped toy, shoe or blanket at least 8 times today.
Then i started thinking - this is cross training. Pushing that thing has got to be doing wonders for my arms - too bad it is not showing yet, but it will have to some day.

so i decided on my dragging run i would come home and make a list of benefits of pushing a sleigh while training for a marathon.
i don't have to wear my garmin on my arm because it is attached to the strolleri can hold as much water and food as i want in the may pocketsmy kids are seeing me take care of myself by getting exercisethe girls get a nap that they won't take at homei look like super woman pushing that thing around the neighborhood.i don't feel one bit guilty for spending $500 on a strolleri am saving money on a baby sitteri don't have to lift weights at the gym for my armssometimes i feel cool pushing it - just sometimesit has taught me that having little kids is no excuse to not exercise.While running today for about 2 minutes I felt like i was gliding. it was awesome.
4.10 miles.

Thursday, July 19, 2007 flying on automatic.

this morning i woke up and told myself - no way are you running today. I just was too tired and I gave myself the day off. Then by 9:30 I thought, just put your running clothes on and see how you feel after that. Then I said by 10:00 just walk three miles while Annie Kate is at swim team and call it good. As soon as I dropped Annie Kate off, my feet just started a running. I almost started laughing out loud. Wow - what a surprise to even me. We only had 45 minutes and it was so HOT! All I could think about while i was running was where ever we move to better have good outdoor running weather - this heat is a killer.Saturday, July 21, 2007 8 mile Saturdays.

For the next few Saturday's I have to do 8 miles. Last week I jumped out of bed at 5:00 am to go at 5:30 knowing I had to get it in before we went downtown and a swim meet that morning.
I am really sad I didn't type up my feelings from the day last Saturday, unless I do it that day, all lessons are forgotten.

This morning, again, I knew I would have to leave by 5:30 to get back in time for Annie Kate's swim meet at 8:00 am. Dang I wish I was a fast runner.

I strolled out the front door by 5:50am a little late. I was excited to go though and totally proud of myself for just doing it.
I got down about half a mile and my garmin ran out of batteries. WHAT? my compass was gone. then my ipod didn't work either. This was my new shuffle. I the new set of songs I put on didn't work. I was so Sad. I almost turned back home then told myself to suck it up and just go.
I don't know how far I went but I could barely run. I did a lot of walking and think I only went about 6 miles.
I don't mind going without the music but I love seeing how far and fast I am going. So, kind of a sad running day. but no major pain so that is good.

approx 6 miles for the day.[Image]my stuff laid out the night before
Monday, August 6, 2007 So today was my first day back running since our Europe vacation. I didn't run one time last week and don't even know how it would have been possible. any chance for sleep could not be missed.
i am hoping the hiking and 5 miles a day of walking will have helped a little bit.

I was so excited to get out there and run! My first 2 miles out of 4.5 were great, I felt like I was floating. Then the heat started to set in and I felt like I was dragging myself.

I just kept thinking, "what am I thinking that I am going to be able to run 26 miles when I am slowing down at 2" I can't believe how much I am able to believe in myself on this one. I wonder if it is because I just don't know better, but I will just keep on going.

I have to do 11 miles this Saturday and am a little worried about it.

I am loving my two new Disney songs I added on my music mix - i have such a mom running mix

4.5 miles
September 15, 2007just found out you can't wear an ipod during the race. This is the only thing that makes me run is the music. I am very worried about this.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007 It is just kind of a darn shame that I have not written all my emotional, amazing and physical experiences the last two months of training for this marathon - it has been a journey for me for sure. Every time I am running I would think of what I would want to write down, but then get home and be so tired I just couldn't do it and now I missed two months.

I am sad I didn't write about...
the day I went running at noon (98 degrees) for a 12 miler and called Jeff at 8 miles to have him come pick me up because I think I was seriously having heat strokethe day I was supposed to run 11 miles and only ran 10.4 and all i could focus on the fact I didn't run 11 - but completely forgot to focus on how great it was I did the 10!
or the Saturday I was at my parents house and ran to the airport and back - it is just so cool to say that I ran to the airport
when I finally figured out I was supposed to be eating something when I was running all these miles and discovered shock blocks and goo!the Saturday I ran 16 miles and I ran into someone I knew who stopped me and said "didn't I see you running down this road two hours ago"the horrible chaffing I got after running 17 miles and walked the last mile home like a cowgirlI just can't believe it is the last week before the Marathon. I only have 4 days left. I am now all of a sudden so worried about what I eat, how much I drink, how much I sleep - I am such a procrastinator.

I am so worried and the reality of it is all setting in. I feel I have lost my giddy girl attitude and am now getting scared. Even if I don't finish or get seriously injured trying - the learning process and what I have learned about myself from all this has been truly amazing.

Thursday, October 11, 2007 I pretty much am a complete wreck. And if I was on the fence about me having anxiety, the last few days have been a true lesson that yes I do! I can't sleep at night and if I do I am dreaming about showing up at the race naked, or I can't find Jeff, or someone is telling me I can't have my Garmin on. (i am already stressed about the fact that I can't use my ipod)
I am baby stepping it to Saturday, still don't know what I am going to wear and afraid all my shorts of going to cause serious chaffing.
Last night I was upstairs putting the sheets on the girls beds and just got pretty emotional and overwhelmed of thinking of this weekend. I knelt down to pray and was a little teary eyed. I guess Annie Kate had walked in and was standing there when I stood up. She asked me what I was doing and I said, "praying"
she said, "it was about your race wasn't it"
I then told her I am just so nervous that I won't be able to do it. She told me, "mom all you have to do is run and when you get tired of running you walk until you have the energy to run again. then when you see the finish line you just give it all you've got and finish strong"
That conversation right there could have been worth the whole training![Image] Jeff and I the night before in our new t-shirts. we were like college kids laughing, crying, so nervous together. Seriously the best marriage therapy - train and run a marathon together, it brought us so much closer. (funny thing is we didn't run the marathon together or train one day together - but it was like we did)
Friday, October 12, 2007 again a sleepless night. past three nights I have had dreams of the race gone wrong.
Anne came by last night it made all the difference. Just hearing about her run and tips and tricks. She is so positive about it all. She gave me a pressed 4 leaf clover and let me borrow her water belt and it meant the world to me.
In 24 hours I will be standing at Camden Yards lining up to run.
I am kind of freaking out and yet so proud of myself at the same time.

Off to by the non chaffing roll on glide and some vanilla gu!October 13, 2007I did it! I ran a marathon!