26.2

I ran a marathon!!

It was incredible and oh so awesome!

Kellie and I decided we wanted to be on one of the first

busses up to the start line so we were there at 3:50am!

It was early.

But I am glad we did it.

It was awesome to be up there.

Music blaring to get you excited.

Hundreds of porta potties.

Big bon fires blaring.

The race started right at 6:45am.

We crossed the start line around 7:00am.

And so the race began...

Mile 1: Went by really quick. I blinked and we passed it.

Mile 2: Made some friends in the pace group

Mile 3: Settled into a good running groove

Mile 4: Met another friend with a sweet GPS running watch. We were jealous.

Mile 5: Made a bathroom pit stop and lost the pace group.

Mile 6: My knee and IT Band started hurting like a motha.

Mile 7: The big hill. Not too bad.

Mile 8: Cursing out my knee. Considering making a deal with the devil to make pain go away.

Mile 9: Sun finally up and blaring. Feels good.

Mile 10: I think it was a good can't really remember it.

Mile 11: Told Kellie to go on. I didn't want to hold her back cause I was in pain.

Mile 12: Red Rock canvasing the trails was awesome.

Mile 13: Just completed a half marathon... one more to go.

Mile 14: Kept getting passed by two guys talking about spiritual problems. I finally stayed ahead.

Mile 15: Got my legs rubbed down with Bengay from a stranger.

Mile 16: Saw my parents and their awesome signs. I cried. So cool they were there. Kellie waited there for me. She's a nice sister.

Mile 17: Called Todd and chatted with him. Ya know, just running a marathon and chatting on the phone. Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to survive.

Mile 18: Called Cory. Gave good mental advice.

Mile 19: Another hill. I swear they said this race was all downhill. Liars.

Mile 20: Only 6 miles left. That's not bad!

Mile 21: Got my knee bandaged up and more Bengay rubdown.

Mile 22: Feeling really hot thinking I am a baby.

Mile 23: See James to cheer me on!!

Mile 24: Finally on the streets with lots of people cheering.

Mile 25: Feeling dehydrated and getting sprayed by a man with a hose.

Mile 25.2: Made a new friend. One mile left!

Mile 26.2: See family and push hard across the finish line.

I DID IT!!!

I RAN AND FINISHED A MARATHON!!

The best part after finishing was getting the medal,

AND standing in the water tunnel.

They said it was the hottest race they've had in 20 years.

The race was hard with being hurt. It broke me too early.

And with it being so hot it was like a double whamy.

It feels so awesome to have accomplished this feat.

I may have not gotten the time I was hoping for, but I am ok with that.

It just gives me a goal to beat for next year.

I am totally addicted!

And I am totally a marthoner!