PR Marathons

On Saturday, June 23, 2012, Ray and I ran the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage, AK.  Last year, we ran the same marathon.  It was our first and definitely not our last.  Last Saturday was a perfect summer day.  It was 75° with a cool breeze, so we didn't overheat.  The mountains, trees and streams that surrounded us were inspiring.  The 26.2 mile course is challenging.  There are 7 hills throughout the marathon.  7 miles of the marathon is run on a rocky dirt road which then leads you into the woods on a dirt trail.  Mile 25 is the longest, steepest hill of all.  

Ray and I had set personal recored (PR) times this year.  Last year, the goal was to finish (alive!)  : )

My goal this year was to run a 4:30 or under marathon.  I met my goal; I finished in 4:23 with a smile on my face.  Ray was extremely happy w/ a 3:50 finish.  His goal was to break the 4 hour barrier and he did it.

What did we do in order to meet our time goals?

•We started an advanced marathon training schedule over 5 months ago and stuck to it.

•Even when the weather was rough, we still stepped outside and took that first step.

•Ray and I supported one another in watching the children so we could get our runs in.

•We invested in a Garmin sports watch which keeps your pace, time and distance.  This tool was instrumental in helping us maintain the appropriate pace.

•We took 'walking breaks' throughout our long runs every mile.  After every mile, we would walk for 45 seconds to a minute.  During the marathon, we walked every mile for 45 seconds to a minute.  Walking breaks allow you time to hydrate (critical for marathon success) and you are able to have resilience in your legs to finish strong.  Research has shown that most people that have trained well and take the walking breaks during a marathon will finish with a faster time than they would have otherwise.  If you want to read up on 'walking breaks,' check out Jeff Galloway on Google or Runners World.  

•We believed we could do it.  

My purpose in running the marathon this year was to and 'arise and shine forth.'  I am so grateful to have my health back that I feel I need to be as strong as I can.  Most importantly, I want to be able to keep up with my kids, play ball, hike, bike and run with them.  

This year during the marathon, I listened to a variety of music on my iPod.  Thanks to my sisters and my friend Crystal for suggesting some super songs.  Listening to the music was a great motivator.  

I am grateful for the love I felt from my family and friends while I was running.  I had asked many of you to pray specifically for a cool breeze on the hot sunny day that was in the forecast.  The cool breeze came and I thanked Heavenly Father. And, I thank you!  It kept me going forward.  I had a friend pray that I would have only positive thoughts during the marathon.  I never thought a negative thought or 'hit the wall' during the marathon.  The power of prayer works.  Ask and ye shall receive, I believe!

One of the most rewarding parts of the marathon event was finishing a second time.  I had helped a friend of mine train for her first marathon starting back in October of last year.  We had done quite a few runs together.  We started together at the starting line on Saturday.  We both had different time goals, so we knew we wouldn't be together on the course for very long.  After I finished @ 4:23, I celebrated with some friends and family, soaked my feet in a cool pool, ate free Great Harvest Bread, got my marathon shirt, etc.  Then, I thought it would be time to watch for my friend at the finish line.  So, I headed that direction with my family and our friends, the Nortons (who came to cheer us on) and 'aunt Peggy' (who brought the kids to cheer us on.)  Thanks you friends!!!  

The finish line clock was at 6:15.  I thought for sure she would be in by 6 hours.  So, I told Ray it was probably time to go, maybe we missed her finish.  Ray was fortunately inspired to drive down part of the course, (the mile 25 hill), on our way out.  That was not the way to turn to get home.  As we starting driving down the hill, there was my friend, walking and alone. Tears were streaming down her face.  Her head hanging down.  I hopped out of the car, ran to my friend and put my arm around her shoulder and said:  "Let's get you to the finish."  She continued to cry and explained to me that her hip had starting hurting badly at mile 10.  She didn't want to quit, so she just kept walking.  I walked with her to the finish line and once again put my arm around her and told her how proud I was of her for being a finisher.  She smiled and said:  "We finished together."  "Thank you for finding me."  I told her:  "I will always find you."  

I learned that day, that the best finish of all is when we choose to seek out and rescue someone who is alone and bring them safely home.  

Here I come.  The finish line is in sight.

 So happy together!  After the finish w/ our shiny medals.

 Stephen's friend, Makayla, came to cheer us on too.  Thanks Makayla!

All smiles!  26.2 miles.  

Some of our greatest cheerleaders.  McKinley, Stephen, Makayla and Brooklyn.  Aren't their shirts cool?

Some Marathon volunteer came up to us and asked if the kids would like some free shirts.  They were so excited.  They say:  "Mayor's marathon' on it.  

Then, some really cool guys (aka the missionaries), asked Stephen if he would like a kids medal, so of course we asked if we could get three more for his sister and friends.  The kids felt like real winners.  They did a wonderful job cheering many runners at the finish line.  Way to go kiddos!

Stephen and McKinley wanted to pretend we were crossing the finish line together.  This photo was taken about an hour after my 'real' finish.  Thanks for taking all the photos Crystal.

More photos to come when the Sports photographer, assigned to the marathon, emails them to us.  

Happy trails!