26.2!

I DID IT!!  

Once Upon a time....

We started a trip to St. George in our Jeep. Yep, our van was broke so we had to take the Jeep.  Meaning 3 kids in the back seat squished together!! It actually wasn't as bad as I imagined it would be.  We were only about 3hours behind schedule but spirits were still high.

A few hours later...

The kids were fast asleep until we got to St. George. Everyone was super excited to be in "Newtah!" (Emmy's version of Utah) I was nervous that they wouldn't go back to sleep even though it was 2am. 

The next day we hung out with our friends.  Cindy, Summer, Jessica, Brandi, Me, and Courtney.  James was a little nervous that there were 9 girls (staying with us) and him ( 2 baby girls were sleeping!) but Anna loved catching lizards so that was good for James!

Courtney (friend I ran with) and I went to pick up our number and some goodies for the race.  We were getting our outfits ready when she got a call that asked if we wanted to get a spray tan!! 

Race Number... Check

Cute Outfit... Check

Spray Tan...  Needed!

What can I say, we have our priorities!

We had a bbq that night with all of our friends and I have to say that we looked like golden goddesses!! I TRIED to go to bed early since i was waking up at 3am but I struggled to fall asleep. That morning Courtney picked me up and we were stoked to be running 26.2 miles! We got to the busses and were off to the top of the mountain. I wish I brought my camera up there because it was a sight. It was 35 degrees and raining. Gilbert girl was NOT prepared for that. Courtney and I got port-a-johns right next to each other and hung out in there for AWHILE out of the rain.  When the race started we put on our garbage bags (yep they provided garbage bags to run in because of the rain) and were off!!

Courtney was nice enough to stay with me for the first 3miles before she decided to ditch me!! Then it was just left to me and my ipod! 

I have to say I was NOT prepared for some of the hills that were on the path but I kept on going even though the ambulance on the side of the road I swear was calling my name! About half way through I found a girl I was semi training with in AZ; Tiersa! We stayed together the rest of the race and it was nice to have someone to push you along! About mile 18 I started to get giddy!! Not saying I was doing cartwheels but I wasn't feeling too bad.  I didn't start feeling the need to quit until mile 24.  Finally turning my last corner I saw Jared, Anna, and James. I was so excited. They were so cold and cute that I sprinted the last .2 miles. Doesn't sound like .2 is a lot but after 26 it is!  

As I crossed the finish line at 4:24:32  I was so happy. Not only was I greeted with a medal and hug from a cute little old lady. (Even though I am sure I smelled like wet dog)  They were handing out ice-cream cones, popsicles, bread, fruit... I LOVED it!  When I met up with Courtney her husband was laughing because instead of asking each other how the race went or how we were feeling we were worried about our spray on beauty!! The girl that sprayed us said it was okay to sweat but to try to stay out of water. Welp that was IMPOSSIBLE. So instead of golden goddesses we were tan tigers!!

I have to say, training was brutal. I was so done and worn out and swore I would never do another marathon... mainly because I didn't lose a dang LB, but it was fun! Well maybe not FUN but EXCITING!  

Our drive home actually went well. I think being so close together in the Jeep actually was good. I had more fun with the kids on that car ride then I have on any other! Maybe I'll get drawn next year!!