TOU Half Marathon

For the past four months I have been training to run the Top of Utah Half Marathon (13.1 miles). I'm not a natural runner by any means. When I first started my "training" I could not run one mile without stopping. Darwin ran with me (pushing the kids in a stroller) some days. We would go to FHS and I would "run" laps while Jensyn rode her bike and Darwin pushed Hurley in his stroller. It seemed like I would never be able to accomplish 13.1 miles. I had a hard time going around the track more than twice. But with persistance, time, and a lot of encouragment from Darwin, Jason, my mom, and Trav I did it.

I ran 13.1 miles on Saturday, August 29, 2009. It was hard but totally worth it. The race started at 7:20 am. I fell asleep at 1:40ish am. I was so excited that I could not fall asleep. It felt like the night before school starting or Christmas. At 4:45 am I woke up and said to Jason (I slept at his house and he was coming to wake me up) "It's racing day!" Jason, me, my parents, and Travis set off to catch one of the many buses to the starting line.

My goal was to finish in two hours and ten minutes. That would be 10 minute miles. My actual time was 2:16. Which means my average mile was 10:38. I felt really great the first 6 miles. Miles 7-9 flew by (not fast by any means) I was really starting to enjoy myself and I knew that I was going to finish. Then I hit mile 10.5 and SSSSSSSSSSLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDD down. I walked a lot of that mile. Jason said that he would come back and get me. When I saw him at mile 11.5 I started waving and I was so happy to see him. I took off running towards him. I was so happy. He told me that Darwin and the kids were at the finish line and my eyes filled with tears. I was running too fast and had to slow down. I made Jason talk the whole time. It really helped keep my mind off the PAIN I was feeling.

Then I saw the finish line and Jason said, "You either have to smile or sprint." I chose to smile. That was easy. I told Jason not to leave me. When I was almost to the finish line I sprinted past four women (I don't know where that burst of energy came from).

I was thinking how great Jason is. He is one of the best brothers in the whole world. (I am a very lucky girl to be right in the middle of 4 wonderful boys.) Then I thought, "All of us have a wonderful brother. Jesus Christ is a brother to all of us. And just like Jason came back to get me, to make sure I finished and succeeded so does Christ. He wants all of us to succeed and He has made it possible for all of us to return to our Heavenly Father."

This is my cute mom finishing. (She is in the pink skirt.) Her time was 2:30.



This is me-yes I know I look like death-I felt like death. My legs hurt so bad. I'm glad Jason was right there cause my legs turned to jelly. My time was 2:16.



This is my happy dad. He is amazing. He started running in June so he could do a 5K. His time was 2 hours.



Part of my fan club. Cute Hurley. Poor Jensyn, her head is missing in this picture. And flowers from Darwin.



My biggest supporter, Darwin. He helped me so much. he would bring me water on my long runs and if it was dark when I was running he would either come with me or follow behind me in the car. I love you.



The McKellars (even though I'm a Parker). Jason, Dad, Mom, Jen, and Travis.
Jason finished in 1:25 and Travis finished in 1:27. How amazing huh? That is 6:30 miles!

What a wonderful day. I'm looking forward to the next one.