St. George Marathon

 I don't know what the deal was, I've done a lot of races and I've always had butterflies but the week before and the whole day before I was a nervous wreck. Family would call on Friday and say good luck, and I would want to break down in tears and say I quit. Friday night I slept ok until I had a dream that Jeff and I took the Pinto road out to the start (it's a bumpy dirt road, but a shortcut) and we got a flat tire and I couldn't run the race. That morning I woke up around 5am and started getting ready still super nervous and wanting to not race. Jeff and I hopped in the truck and I told him about the dream and he said, "Well I was planning on taking the Pinto road?? Do you want to?" I said, "Its just a dream." We had a little scare when the truck said low tire pressure but Jeff said it was saying the same thing all yesterday. On we go to the race, we are almost to the main road when we hear this grinding sound and then we knew...flat tire! Of all the things, I just start laughing and am somewhat relieved because now I really have an excuse not to run. He called his friend Nick though that was staying at his cabin nearby and luckily they were just leaving and came to pick me up. Nervousness sets in again! I was alone, so I lined up next to the 4:30 pace group hoping I would finish at 4:15 or 4:30. The pacer was a nutritionist and was saying how hot it was going to get today and if your a sweater, and I am, no water, just gatorade to replace your sodium. Unless taking your GU. In the end this advice could have saved me looking back. I had brought a GU knowing I need one every 5-6 miles to make it. There were so many people and it was absolutely gorgeous and amazing to see the snake of runners as far as you could see in front and in back of you! Felt great, warmed up the first 2 miles at a 10:15-10:30 pace. Then felt great until at seven I realized they were not providing any GU. I knew I was in trouble. I ran the whole mile up the Cone Hill and was right on the money at 2:15 for my first 13 miles, hoping for a 2:05 last half. I felt my lack of energy and GU at 14 and contemplated asking others if they had a spare when I found an unopened one on the ground. I picked it up and guzzled that thick stuff down. It carried me till mile 21 when all I wanted to do was walk and knowing the rest was downhill. I kept it slow till 23 and died from 23 to 26. I walked slow and ran slow those last three miles, not even pumped up with all those fans. I turned the corner and saw the finish and thought, I really can't run that far!!! But I made it those last .2 miles running and crossed the finish line in 4 hours 45 min. I was a little bummed to have missed my time, but couldn't have physically pushed it any further. I finished and was in a daze and drooling over my popsicle and Dr. Pepper. I had no desire to eat but knew I had to. My family was all there and they are my forever fans and I love them for the support and motivation they have given me. I did it and I will do it again! It was probably the hardest physical thing I have done yet, but so motivating to have accomplished it.