44 Years Old

I believe I've witnessed a personal miracle!

Yesterday I crossed the finish line of the 15K Freedom race. 9.3 miles, let me repeat- 9.3 MILES, and I have lived to tell about it! Miracles never cease.

Around the middle of the 7th mile it started to kick my butt and I thought I just might lay down and die right there on the asphalt with the discarded water cups! I had to remind myself of my friend Adriel's words "If you can run six you can run nine easy". He told me those encouraging words a view weeks back, and being the sucker that I am, I totally believed him!

Up until this Saturday I had only trained up to 6 miles. Most of which occurs on the treadmill at work- not many hills up or down. Then on Saturday's for the past 6 weeks, I've canvased the west side of Logan which has minimal hills. This race started halfway up Blacksmith Fork Canyon and ended at the Hyrum City park. It is primarily a downhill race, so knowing that, along with Adriel's convincing words and motivation, I thought I could do it for sure!

Overconfident?

Completely!
But it got me the nerve to sign myself up and I'm thankful I did.

I went to drive the course and chart mile markers for myself. I knew the third mile would be mostly uphill (yes, we are still heading DOWN the canyon). Usually I get into my rhythm around the end of the second mile, so I knew I'd have to step it up and be on my best game for the third mile. I had to at least run 7 miles (for training purposes) and I set that as my ultimate goal for the race. The other 2.3 miles would just be the cherry on top.

After I hit mile marker 7, there was a beastly hill to climb out of the canyon bottom up to the plateau that Hyrum city rests on. I planned on walking this. So I walked fast. When I made it to the top it was flat and luckily overcast and for this I was grateful. This flat was the HARDEST PART- emotionally and physically- and where I almost became a casualty! My ball did not want to get rolling forward after I stopped running to walk the hill. I thought I might shed a tear because for a split second I didn't believe I could move another inch. My feet were KILLING ME and my knees were not happy, my legs felt like bricks, and my back was no longer confidently strait. So, I flipped my Ipod to a great tune (thanks to Tawna) that always gets me moving shoulders up and feet ahead. "You ready...let's go... this is 10 % luck... 20% skill...15% concentrated power of will...5 % pleasure...50% pain... and 100% reason to remember the name" I think it's Eminem- who knows, but I love it for running purposes!

I was banking on that 15% power of will. I had a race to finish, so without a tear, I shook off my body over mind that was starting to take control and I forged ahead. All except the last .3 miles it was a downhill finish. This last mile was my fasted. I cruised and it felt so good! The whole way I kept repeating "if you can run 6 you can run 9 easy...easy...easy". Thanks to Adriels unabashed lie- I made it despite my body screaming STOP STOP STOP on those last .3 that were flat. So many people were standing around shouting their hoorays, that I sprinted to the finish line so as not to disappoint.

I wanted to come in under 1:45, but I squeezed out a pretty satisfactory 1:53. About 9.3 12 minute miles- including walking the hill. I figure my last mile was a ten minute one while I added the other two minutes to the hill. That darn hill! Watch out Mr Hill, your asphalt is mine next year! (Thanks for the pic Rozie)
I was pretty much toast (really burned black toast) by the time I made it home. I hopped in a hot bath and wanted to lie there forever. But the parade was calling, so were the kids with their excitement for the holiday, that I was all too quickly showered, dressed and ready to head to the parade.



When we got back Aspen and Liberty wanted me to open birthday presents. They had picked out the Wii fit. Normally I would have been excited about this, but seeing as I just ran 9.3 freaking miles, I had to fain happiness to try it out! Next thing I know the game was telling me I'm obese, over 30 % body fat, unbalanced and 44 years old! What nerve! "Happy Birthday to me" I told Mick as I hobbled my way upstairs to take a nap. Watch out Wii fit- your going down... don't mess with a woman who just ran 9.3 miles!

Bar-B-Q, chocolate ice cream cake, happy birthday's and Micks pyrotechnic show...
...it was the best birthday ever! I'm so happy I accomplished something I thought I could never do. The best high in the world. Thanks for all the running support and birthday wishes everyone. Anyone want to sign up to run with me next year? It really was not that bad...

After thought: Rozie, my running hero, said her GPS charted 9.6- even better!