This is a PR for me and I can't believe I did it!! I had a lot of health issues I had to deal with a thought I would run my slowest. A week before my race I came down with a bad cold and it just kept getting worse. I decided to go to the doctors to see if there was anything he could do for me. It ended up that I have Bronchitis, sinus infection and an ear infection. I looked at him and said that I was suppose to run a have marathon on Saturday. He is a runner and so he was really sympathetic to me. He said if I felt that I really needed to run then I should plan on running slow and maybe even walking some of it. I started the morning with the idea that I would get my slowest time, but I was ok with that, I just wanted to run. We got to the top and got to see the Marathoner's come through. I saw Kelli but didn't say hi, I didn't want to throw here off, it was really dark and she would have a hard time seeing who it was...Way to go Kelli!! The race stared 30 minutes late which was kind of irritating. They had the speakers facing away from everyone so we couldn't even hear them start the race and not only that all they did was say go! No gun, no nothing! For training I ran the race course a few times, so I knew what to expect and I knew that I could at least get through the canyon. It was an awesome course! The aid statins were great and I loved the beauty of it. I started the race and the whole time through the canyon I felt really good. I stated to feel tired at about mile 10 and I didn't think I was going to make it. Thankfully I hooked up with my friends that I was running with and they helped push me through the end. The only difficult thing was there was no mile marker for 12 or i missed it. At that point my chest was killing me and I wanted to stop. I needed to see that 12 so I could know I was almost done and I didn't. I was thinking we were gong to have to run the track when we got to the High School and I was not going to make it. I yelled out to some one on the side walk "where's mile 12"? she said it was 1/3 of a mile up, I lost all it. To my surprise when I turned the corner and got up a little way it was the finish line. I didn't think I was going to beat my last race time. I knew that I if I could keep the pace runners, 2:05 and 2:10 between me I would be ok, but at mile 10 2:05 past me and she was running fast. I thought for sure I would be over 2:10, so when I came to the end and saw 2:08 I was shocked, happy and grateful!! Over all it was great and I can't wait until next year. My next race is Hobble Creek. I'm still really sick so we shall see what happens. | 