Top of Utah Marathon

The Logan Temple at the bus loading area.

Marathon morning dawned and with it some mixed feelings stirred within me. Marathoning is a precarious event.  Food, energy, training, weather, attidude, sleep and more have to be factored into equation.

Relief washed over me as I considered that Kristi--my marathoning buddy--was there to run/endure it with me. I imagine someday she'll grow up and realize that she could run a lot faster than me, being how she is 10 years younger, but for now it is wonderful to have someone to run the majority of the race with.  She knows when to talk, and when not to; when it is time to encourage me to push harder, and when it is time to leave me and run ahead.  I tease her about leaving me behind, but the truth is we are very compatible runners, especially when we are both training similarly  

The second feeling to overcome is apprehension.  Even though I have trained for and run 17 marathons, I still feel some anxiety before a race.  I know that, barring some bizarre circumstance, I will finish the race.  The question is in the variables--many out of my control.  Will I have to run though pain? Will my side, foot, leg, or head hurt?  Will the rest stops be at the mile marker they are supposed to be at? Will my energy last? Will I have to run it alone? Will I be appropriately dressed for the weather?  Will there be wind? Will my ipod work?  On the ride up on the bus I wrestle with these questions, as well as some about my race day strategy.

Kristi, Wendy and I at the top--just before the race began.

Eventually the time arrives to run, and with my music on, the song Good Times playing in one ear, the race begins.  As we run the first few miles, I listen to others around me talk about their night, and their strategy; we look at what people are wearing and enjoy the differences in runners and marvel at some.  And then, usually about mile 3-4 my heart rate levels and Kristi and I share stories we've been saving for just this occasion. I assure you that many of life's problems have been solved while out on a run.

During the race this last weekend we saw one of our favorite marathoners. We have seen him at almost every marathon we've run, but until Saturday we didn't know his name.  (We simply call him the marathon man.) He chats with runners, striking up conversations, and encouraging others. I think he called us "the twins".  Around mile 15 we stopped to give our jackets to Rissa and her roommate Madison who came to cheer us on (SO VERY happy to see them.  Thanks for making the effort Rissa. :))  After stopping for about 30 seconds, I felt a hand at my back and heard our friend say, "come on ladies, this is a race.  No stopping."  We laughed and began running with him, yelling a thank you to Marissa over our shoulder.

Lowell introduced himself formally, including spelling out his name for us. He talked and ran with us until the next rest stop.  Again, at about mile 21, he caught up with us.  We were just about ready to walk when he caught us.  He encouraged us to run and began talking about numbers.  What our bib numbers added up to, and why those numbers were positive, and how it helps in marathoning to think about other things than the miles and the pains.  He told us about his family, about his law practice in Idaho, and about some of his experiences in marathoning.  (He just tore something in his leg in May and was supposed to be off it for a year.  But he had changed his stride and ran the Pocatello, Idaho marathon 2 weeks previously.) We ran with him for about 5 minutes, and then he gave us a "I am going to walk at the aid station, but you ladies are strong and should keep running" speech and so we did.

This is Lowell, our 70 year old, 78 marathon running friend.

At the finish we looked for our marathon guy, Lowell, and took a picture with him.  I imagine if Dad were still running, he would be very similar to Lowell. Positive, encouraging, strong and friendly.

Two more weeks until the Saint George Marathon......