13 Miles Later....

Well we are still walking, although today is the first day of walking normal! We had such a blast at the Salt Lake Half Marathon! This is right as we crossed the finish line, yes, holding hands! Jer says he was dragging me across, but who looks happier here? He's lucky I was there to pull HIM over! I truly think that everybody should be a part of a race like that some time in their life!
So the day started with a lot of caffeine...one shot of GU at home and Crystal Light Energy. I had another GU right before the race and two during the race! I'm not addicted, just people told me to do that!! Maybe that had something to do with the dizziness right after the race. We met my sister Dawn and her husband Kasey and drove to the Gateway at 5:30 in the morning. It's so crazy how nervous and excited I felt taking the shuttle up the Olympic Bridge. It was funny to see how many other people had the nerves as we joined the line to the bathrooms and we were 40 people back and every line to those disgusting porta-potty's had at least 40 people in them. There were thousands of runners everywhere, it was very intimidating to see all these really fabulous looking runners. You start thinking, do I really deserve to even be here with them? After listening to the gospel choir and stretching over and over, they told us we had to go...even if I wasn't ready! That was when my 2 hour 27 minute prayer started! I was so surprised how good I felt! Maybe it was the thousands of people, or the spectators clapping for us the whole way, or the prayer, but I felt so great! At mile 7, I even thought, I could totally run a full marathon! That thought quickly left at mile 11, when I didn't think I could go anymore! Jeremy was there, telling me to come on, so I somehow kept going. It was around that time those silly winners of the full marathon with a police escort passed us, which was very comforting! That's when you have to totally pull from some where inside, that you don't think you have or could ever have, and believe that your legs have the strength to endure that last couple miles. That turn to the Gateway is the most awesome experience. You are so weak, but you have enough in you to sprint while there are people lined up on both sides of the street clapping and shouting "you're almost there", "good job", "you're doing great", "you can do it", and giving you high five! How thankful I am for all of those angels! As we got to the finish line we grabbed each other's hands and crossed. Dawn (who crossed way before us) and Kasey were there, my sister in law Sissa and her husband Matt (they did their first 5k) were there and my best friend Tawny (finished before us) was there. I am so thankful for each of them, they don't know how wonderful that was to see their faces as we finished. I am so proud of each of them! I only wish my kids would have been there! I just felt so happy, and wanted to celebrate and then...I had to sit down quick, or I knew I would be on the ground unconscious. It was weird but I really thought I might pass out! I think that last sprint did me in! Jeremy was super to run and grab me a banana, while he grabbed a hot dog for himself! I love you Jeremy. I love that we accomplished that goal together. I love that we were there for each other, during pee breaks, broken fanny packs, GU shooting, sweating, hurt muscles, injury's, sickness and the finish line! Jeremy Paul you are the best!