I was so glad to be done and I finished in 2:01:11!
Rachel and I a little dazed after the race! :)
Why do I run? This question has been asked to me numerous times lately and I had lots of time to think about it during my race on Saturday. Here is what I came up with:
My alarm went off 4:25 am on Saturday but I was already awake. I was so nervous and anxious for the half marathon that I could hardly sleep. The drive up to Salt Lake was nerve racking and exciting all at once. As I stood at the starting line with over 6,000 other runners I felt intimidated yet I also felt proud.
Thoughts were racing through my mind as I crossed the start line for my first mile. Can I really do this? Am I prepared? Is the playlist on my IPod going to last the whole time? Oh no, do I have to go to the bathroom for the 7th time this morning...YES! Oh well, too late. Those first few miles I thought to myself...I love this! I love running. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous. I wanted to start sprinting I was so overwhelmed with excitement and adrenaline, but I kept reminding my self, "pace yourself, you have a long way too go.".
Around mile six I started thinking, "Wow, I am almost half way, this is so easy!" Although my initial adrenaline had faded I still felt pretty energized. I thought about the cause that I was running for, cancer research. I looked at the signs that were posted in the ground along the way. "Run for Dylan, every step counts!" With a picture of a sweet toddler that had lost a battle with caner. New adrenaline came and I wanted to sprint again. I looked to my left and saw a young mother with a picture of her daughter on her back, written underneath it said, "We are doing this for you sweetheart!". My heart broke. Once again I was overwhelmed but this time it was for a different reason. I thought about my sweet little boy that would be waiting for me at the finish line. How blessed I was to have a healthy child. I wanted to cry as I thought about the millions of people around the world that were suffering from a life threatening disease. I wanted to run for all those people that couldn't. So I ran harder and faster with new energy. Inspired by the children fighting cancer, the mothers and fathers that have lost children, and for those that will suffer in the future. I was so grateful to part of such a wonderful cause that I was able to keep going.
Then I reached mile ten. Three miles to go and it seemed like eternity. All my energy was gone and my legs were aching. I had planned to really pick up my pace but the thought of running faster made me cringe. As I came to mile twelve I asked myself, "Why do I run these races? I hate running! I am never doing this again!" Then I find myself about to reach the finish line and I try to sprint to the end. My legs felt like bricks. As I crossed the finish line I felt so many different emotions: I was exhausted, excited, nauseous, faint, but the I couldn't help think, "I can't wait for another race!".
