I Run For Life...Marathon 3

The marathon was awesome!  There is nothing cooler than running with thousands of other people around you.  (See here:  St. George Race Start)  It makes it so much easier to run when you know you're not the only idiot willing to torture their body.

It was really hot - but I made it - and that's always what counts. I re-injured my calf about three different times this summer.  I decided I needed to let my calf heal and then train as much as I could after it was better.  I only got up to 16 miles before I needed to taper down for the race.  I still beat my first marathon time (when I had my IT-Band injury) by about 25 minutes. I've had about every running injury in the book.  My dad will attest to this because I'm always asking him to fix me.  Stretch - ice - time.  The three key ingredients to 85% of all injuries.

I was really blessed that my calf held out.  A couple days before the race, I was doing a quick four miles when my calf started bugging me again.  I could feel it ready to pop throughout the entire race.  I have no idea how I finished the race without it giving out.

 My Uncle Dan and I have run in three of the same races.  The Juneau half marathon, my second marathon, and my third marathon.  This year, I drove with him and two of his buddies to the start of the race.  It worked out so much better.  I remember how cold it was waiting up there a couple years ago, so this was a great alternative.

I am so glad I ran this year.  I forgot how addicting these races are.  The St. George course beats Ogden's marathon's course by a long shot.  My family is always so great to support me.  They're really the only ones who understand why running is so important to me.  It has changed my life!

 
Oh, and my toe-nail finally fell off!  I'm pretty sure its been loose since the last St. George race.  Hopefully it grows back....again.   How many are we allowed?