It's over! I ran the Utah Valley Marathon this weekend! It was an absolutely gorgeous course, one that would be difficult to match in beauty. I had really been praying that I wouldn't have the anxiety that literally cripples me before races and, good news- I was hardly nervous at all once I got to the start line at 5:30 am (yes, you read that right). It started to rain just before the race began which made for kind of a cold, miserable first half, but there are advantages to the rain too (mostly a decreased chance of dehydration). Anyway, it stopped around mile 11 or so, so I was pretty much dry by the finish. So, the race started in Wallsburg, a quaint little town up the Provo Canyon. At about mile 4, I suddenly felt this intense pain on the outside of my left knee as I was running down a hill. I've never had knee pain before, so I chalked it up to the cold, steep hills, and the fact that I hadn't yet stretched. So, I took a moment to stretch out and then kept on going. Every time I reached a hill (which was 90% of the first 20 miles) the pain would just shoot through my kneecap and keep throbbing until I was on flat ground again. I plugged through, though, determined to keep the 3:40 pacer in sight (that was my goal time and Boston qualifying time). There were a few times that my knee would totally buckle and I would have to stop and stretch (and there might have been some- no, a LOT of crying). But, I would kick it back in to gear and catch up with the pacer again when I thought of all the training I had put in to this for the past year. I did this for the first 23 miles and was right on target to qualify when my knee just completely gave out. Every step I took my knee would buckle and pain would shoot through my leg. I was determined, though to finish this race and did finally cross that finish line at the end of 26.2 miles with a clock time of 3:46. Overall, I was pleased with that time considering the pain I had to push through and the race conditions. Most of all, it was a huge confidence boost for me because I KNOW that I could have finished in 3:40 if it weren't for my knee. So, St. George- here I come!
Trust me, you didn't want to see the frontal picture. It wasn't pretty.
Post-ice-bath and shower. I know this is a little posed, but you know how some people still look good after a work out? I'm not one of them. (For proof, see past blog posts... I'm not going to put the links up because I really don't want you to go see them again.)
11 comments:
Congratulations, seriously that is amazing, you finished that fast with that kind of pain, you are unbelievable. and p.s. I totally don't hate you for being a runner, I promise promise promise, please don't ever get paranoid or listen to what I say when I rant. Its just the ones who make it their identity and that's all they talk about it and find ways to bring it up by making an analogy to the gospel in sunday school, etc... Seriously I have nothing but admiration for you.
Congratulations!!!! So impressive, Rebecca. I'm so proud to know you. I can't believe you did it through all that pain. So happy for you the anxiety wasn't an issue this time. That's a huge accomplishment.
P.S., I've seen you post workout and you look great!!
Congrats! That is a great marathon time. I hope your knee is okay & that you recover quickly. Are you in the St George marathon? I was thinking of running it but registration is over.
Good luck on your training.
Nice Work! That is so dang fast. Unbelievable.
You're amazing... that's all I can say. I don't even like to drive 26 miles much less run! I hope you guys are doing well in Utah!
GO REBECCA!!!! You rock and I am so proud of your amazing accomplishment and that you are being a great example to your family.:) Miss you!
I didnt know you were there! I would have come to see you! KC ran it too. I couldnt believe it started at 5:30 either. so strange. you are amazing! I would never be able to run a marathon, but congrats!
HO.LY C.OW!!!! Rebbecca! You are absolutely awesome! Thank you so much for sharing that, just reading your post made me get runner excitement, you know the feeling of course, your stomach is in knots, you feel like you need to pee, puke, or poop-ha ha ha-Runner excitement-the 3 p's. I am so proud of you Rebecca. I will always be your cheerleader in NM. Please keep me posted! as soon as this little guy gets here I will want to plan a trip to the runner's state-(ut)to race and I totally would love it if you would run with me. :)
-Kim
Congrats REBA! So That's about my yimt too...for the half marathon I ran a couple weeks ago so you can go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back! :) What happened with your knee?
K C ran this marathon too and im so sad that I didnt know you were running it too so we could have cheered you on as well as K C,, next time you run ,, let us know where and when it is . Im so proud of you for running, I wish i could stil walk ha ha let alone run. :)
Congrats!! that was very good time!
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