Provo Marathon
It's done. Enough said.
Just kidding. Oh so many details, but really it all comes down to this:
I loved training for something that pushed me to a higher limit
AND to have so much great support from family and friends.
I loved the way it made me feel and the overrall perspective it gave me of the importance of pushing oneself physically/mentally even when you just don't want to.
I love the confidence it gave me to do anything I set my mind to.
And the new found love of something that can be done anytime, anywhere.
(Well, "love" not so much right now - still recovering)
People have asked, "Will you do another one?" Right after the race I told people, "no." But the more I think about it, the more I desire to do at least one more, maybe two or three? For now, the plan is to keep it at Half's - the perfect "push yourself" distance in my opinion. Time is (always) of the essence so we'll see what my little family will allow. ;)
The course was beautiful the first 12 miles (mostly through Provo Canyon) and right around mile 20-23 (along Provo River). After mile 13, I mentally checked out and just wanted to be done! It was hot and lonely (only about 140 marathoners verses several hundred 5kers and half-marathoners). With that said, it gave me a lot of time to think. I got emotional about three times along the course, but when I crossed the finish line it was nothing but smiles and relief! I did a lot of fast walk/steady running from 13-26 because of leg/foot pain, but overrall averaged about a 10 1/2 minute mile resulting in a 4:41 run.
Matt and the kids have been troopers through all of this. I can never thank them enough! And a special thanks to Mom, Dad, Camille and Holland, and Hillary and her kids for coming to the finish line! It was so fun to hear you cheering me on.
At about mile 22, I saw Matt and the kids for the first time along the course. It made me so so happy! Especially when Abby came running towards me and just hugged me. And then Rett following her lead. Kids are the greatest - it didn't matter to them that I was sweaty and stinky.
(kind of hard to bend over)
All the little girls waiting at the finish line.
It was so great to see Camille waving me in!
Finishing with the girls!
8 comments:
Andrea--Seriously, I just think you are amazing. If I ever get the guts to do a 1/2, it will be a miracle. YOU ROCK my world!
You are awesome, Ang. I am so dang proud. How cool to have mom, dad, Camille and your family there at the finish line. Must have been a moment you'll never forget. By the way? Your new home is beautiful!!!! I'm so happy for you. I LOVE dark wood floors, my favorite!
Ang, once again, you are stinkin' AMAZING for doing what you did! Way to stick with it I say! I bet that feels pretty awesome knowing that you completed something so hard and challenging in more ways then one. Also, your home is really nice. Hopefully I'll get to see it sooner then later. Thanks for sharing and have fun with the move!
Go Ang!! I am so freakin proud man! Sounds like it came at a crazy time too (moving and all) but you did it! And you looked so sexy doing it :) Check it off the bucket list, right? And it's so fun to see your new house. Although, my laptop wouldn't load a lot of the pics so I'll have to look again on my other computer. It looks really nice though from what I saw. Hopefully we can visit you someday soon. Promise I won't be a grump this time :)
All I have to say is that you are so amazing! You have always set high goals and worked extremely hard to accomplish them. You are truly an inspiration to me!
P.S. It was so much fun to see you cross that finish line and share in your success.
Nice work!!!! So proud of you. How are you feeling a week later? If I am ever back in that area, we should run one together!
You are AMAZING!! No wonder you look like a million bucks Andrea!! Seriously I am so so impressed. I truly am inspired by people like you---well done cute cousin, well done!!
p.s. will I see you this summer?
Andrea, this is so impressive! I can't even imagine running a mile! What a great thing to set such a high goal for yourself and stick with it until you accomplished it! You are amazing! And I'm so thrilled about your new home. It looks gorgeous!
Post a Comment