The Spirit of the Marathon

After a few phone calls this week from friends going... how?.... why?..... here it is perfectly summed up in 6 minutes and 40 seconds...

Keeping up would be easier than catching up!

We will start at the beginning. The Monday after the numbers post Bart's Grandma fell and sustained very serious injuries. This event caused some major adjusting to our schedules as we thought they would go.

We had our birthday party. It was a lot of fun and the kids had a great time. Combined birthday parties are a fabulous thing.... one day... one mess (even if it isn't at my house)... one cake... and only 3 hours of complete chaos :)

With the party being done that must mean we were only hours away from the baptism. I can't believe how grown up Hunter has gotten. It feels like it happened over night.








Unfortunately due to the accident Granny and Pappa couldn't make it, but we still had a wonderful day. Sunday morning Bart's grandma passed away which caused our plans to change drastically for the next week. So Sunday morning we made the decision to take all of us to Salt Lake for all of the weekends events that would be taking place. Tickets booked... teachers notified.... primary class sub found.... Bart sent me the flowers below... processed 256 ribbon orders... packed for 4 instead of just myself.... finished my last training run... and we were off!







All of us finally staggered into my parents house by 10:00 Thursday night. Friday we did packet pickup (which was kind of a let down after the hype made about the expo) ate lunch at Hires (yummy) went to the University of Utah book store ... (you know new cars need new red stickers) drove the race route.... ran back to grandma's house and headed up to Aunt Kims and the Marathon Mommies get together.

If you haven't clicked on the link to the right for Marathon Mommies go click on it as soon as you are done reading. These women are amazing, inspiring women. I am so lucky to be able to be part of this group. It was so fun to be able to meet all of them in real life. To laugh together and know they all had the same concerns and fears for the next day was so perfect and exactly what I needed.

After a great get together Bart and the kids and I went to Spaghetti Factory to get my favorite Mizzithera Cheese as my carb loading dinner (not like it really takes a reason for me to carb load). After a quick stop by Grandma Bailey's house we finally headed back home. After laying out all my marathon stuff... going through it 12 times to make sure I got everything.... laying out all the kids stuff for the morning - they would be going to the funeral with Bart - setting my clock and Bart's clock for a few minutes later... just in case you know... repeating direction to my dad a few times I finally climbed into bed at 11:30!!!!!

Now how many time do you think you can check your clock between 11:30 and 4:45? WAY TOO MANY TO COUNT... TRUST ME! I have never been that nervous before a race!

Good news... didn't sleep through my alarm. Got up, got dressed, double checked all the other things I layed out for everyone the night before. Off we went. A very uneventful drive to as close to the start and off I went. Wandered around for a little looking for at least one familiar place.... and then I hear... 'is that the other marathon mommy Erin?' That was just what I needed. Turned around and saw the other Erin and JP and her family! Off to the start... there goes the gun and the really exciting 9 minute wait! For those of you who have never done a race 12000 people can't cross the line right after the gun so you get really excited to wait!

And we were off.... The first 5 miles felt great but I knew I was going a little bit fast. All i could hear in my head was Heather reminding me to not go too fast at the start. She was right and by mile 22 I really understood her comment. Regardless felt good through Sugerhouse Park. Saw the girls from Will Run For Designer Jeans cheering and Kera running on our way out. Next 5 miles still felt good... the wind was awful and would for at least 6 or 7 more! Crossed the half way mark at 2:11 and really thought I was in great shape to get my 4:30 I was hoping for. So along my way here comes some old guy with no shoes or socks on! He was crazy! Saw Kera a few more times... that was so great. We would have a little chat, check on each other and keep running. She was really fighting with her knees and at one of our little check ups i told her it was better to go slow and finish than to have to give up. Those words would be so true later into my own race too. At mile 18 I had developed the worst shooting pain in my right hip I have ever felt. So the last 8 miles were a very tough obstacle but I was going to finish. So the last eight miles were made up of 1 mile run (if I was even going fast enough to call it running) .25walking. I got to the start of the 5K in Liberty Park and just kept on telling myself only 5K to go... I can do that... it is only down to McKamy and back (where the 5am crowd goes on short days) .... I can do this. I found my play list so lovingly titled 'hill hell' and I was going to finish.... way slower than I expected but I was going to finish. From the sounds of all the other race reports we all were so happy to see the guy right before Gateway helping all of us to the end with great words of encouragement and hope. I turned the corner and started looking for someone... anyone I knew to help me get to the end and a few yards in there he was.... my little big brother. He was just what I needed! He hurdled his 6'2" self of the gate and with his jeans falling off and his open can of coke he ran with and pushed me through the finish. Oh yea and whoever it was that yelled 'hey there is a marathon mommy' thanks I heard you and i loved finally having someone yelling for me even if it was at the end :)

5 Hours 13 Minutes and 5 Seconds! I know I can run 26.2 miles in that amount of time.

A few things I learned from this?

1. I know I can do things that are hard, physically, mentally and emotionally.

2. I will decide more than 7 weeks before my next marathon to do it.

3. Even when life gets in the way and changes the best laid plans, you can learn some of the most amazing things about yourself.

4. Surround yourself with people who will support your crazy dreams and ambitions..... kind of like the people below :)

Why Men are Never Depressed

Funniness from my husband :)

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED:
Men Are Just Happier People
What do you expect from such simple creatures?
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. – Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.
No wonder men are happier.

The last 30 days and the next 16!

We are going to have a review of our numbers :) Hopefully you can all keep up!

What have we done in the last 30 days you ask... or at least Sharon did...

1. We (as in Bart) ripped out the carpet in the toy room and put in hardwood ~ whoooo hoooo!

2. Jorden turned 6! My baby is 6.... and I guess she isn't a baby anymore! She can't stop turning cartwheels ~ no matter where she is... no kidding! She has lost two teeth and according to her at least 4 more loose ones. She is loving to be a real girly girl and won't go anywhere without her makeup on... even to soccer with blue eyeshadow.

3. Hunter turned 8! AAAAHHHHH! We are now knee deep in cub scouts and he is LOVING every minute of it! He has found a love of reading which is somewhat shocking to Bart and I... he must get it from his Granny and his Grandpa. He is finally looking like a big kid to everyone ~ not just his mom.

4. Bart went back to the Dominican Republic again. This time though he got to take a helicopter ride and play golf right on the beautiful coast line!

5. My little sister Lauren finally graduated from rehab! It was so amazing to see her stand up in front of everyone clean and looking more beautiful than we have seen her in years. I believe she has been helped and helped so many others along her journey and will continue to change peoples lives. She has such potential and i think she can see it now too! Way to go Lauren!

6. I went to Salt Lake and back in 36 hours. See number 5 if you are wondering why I would do something like that! :)

7. I ran 122.7 miles. If you are wondering what would ever posses me to do that keep reading. It will all be revealed in the next section of our numbers review! That 122.7 miles included my fastest 10K that I ran last weekend. 59:04 not too shabby!

8. Bart had a spot of skin cancer removed off of his face. Seems to be fine now... just recovering from the extended nap he got to take.

9. We have had a few hail/thunder/tornado issues.... but nothing quite like last night or should I say really early this morning!

Well that was a review..... here is what our next 16 days all ready have on the calender!

5 Soccer practices & 5 soccer games!

a 6 day visit from Granny & Pappa

1 combined birthday party in a private theater with 40+ kids to see Nim's Island

1 Baptism!!!! AAAAHHHH.... I can't be possibly old enough to have this happening yet can I

2 Piano lessons

1 Half marathon here in Dallas

1 flight back to Salt Lake

42 more miles to run.... oh yea plus the 26.2 that i am doing on the 19th.

I think we might be a little bit busy!