Logan Top of Utah

This may end up being lengthy…I apologize for that! I need to write this before I forget my experience and what the Top of Utah Marathon (TOU) means to me. I want to start off by saying how truly grateful I for my ability to run and for my body to endure these long and strenuous miles I put it through. I thank my heavenly father everyday for this wonderful gift. I have wanted to TOU for the last 4 years and every year some obstacle has gotten in the way. I was starting to think TOU was not ever going to be a reality. This was the year I decided no matter what happened I was going to run TOU and finish TOU even if it took me 6 hours! Back in May I signed Kelly and I up for this marathon, something I have never done because something always got in the way. I committed to this race and was not going to back out! I was not going to let my sinus problems, injuries, or my children's cross country get in the way of this race. TOU will be lucky number 6 marathon and the one marathon I really want to run.

I started training for this race and was getting really excited to run TOU. By the middle of July I started having bad pain in my left calf but still continued to run on it being very careful about my distance. Kelly and I ran the Ririe Days ½ marathon and I knew at the time this may not have been the smartest idea but my determination was greater than the pain. I know that was a stupid idea and hindered my training for TOU. I went out 3 days after the Ririe race and could only run a ½ mile. I knew I was in trouble and called my sports medicine guy to come and fix it. Only certain injuries can be fixed, stress fractures cannot! Lesson Learned J I had to stop running and training for TOU, it was time to let my leg rest. I pulled out the bike and started to train on my bike without the impact. This is not nearly as effective but it does help.

I had to give up running Mesa Falls Half because I was still having pain. This was one of the half marathons I love to run but I had my sights set on TOU and needed to stay focused. When I was able to run again I had 3 ½ weeks until TOU so I had to go out slow but get in the distance. Long runs were slower than I wanted but I knew I had to take it easy. Two weeks before the marathon I started having bad knee pain in my right side, AGH! I went to the Dr and it is tendonitis in my knee from over compensating for the injured left leg! Just my luck!!!! What to do? Keep running your training for a marathon! I actually back my training off a little bit and started biking and running to give both legs relief. The last week before the marathon I decided not to run and let my legs rest and hopefully all the pain and inflammation would go away. Friday Sept 11^th the kids had a cross country meet I had a hard time walking up and down the hills it was so painful in both legs. I actually considered at not running TOU, if I could not walk up and down hills how was I going to run a marathon? This next part may sound really strange to some of you but it is part of my story and it need to be told. I prayed and prayed for Heavenly Father to help me get through this. I wanted it so bad and I knew I needed his help. Wednesday of last week my legs started feeling so good and I knew I would be able to run the race. I made the decision to run TOU at all cost knowing I was going into it with odds stacked against me and with the potential of taking 6 hours or not finishing.

Friday the 18^th my children had a cross country meet in Rigby. I was not going to let them run so we could get into Logan at a decent hour. Last minute I changed my mind…..and it was so worth it. Kelsie ran her first race of the season! Kenzie did amazing even with a potty stop! Kolton ran a 17:48 in 16^th place! That was motivation for me to go out and do my best. We got to Logan at 9:00pm. Packet pick up for the race ended at 9 but they were wonderful and still let us get our packets!

I have never cried at the beginning of a marathon only at the end. The first mile I got a little teary because I could not believe I had made it! Every mile was wonderful and every step I took I was thankful for. Kelly and I chose to run this together because our family was going to be there and we knew it would be easier for them to find us. We have never run a full marathon together this was a new experience for us. Mile 20 I was on track for a 4:30 marathon feeling good knowing I had 6 miles to go! YEAH! Mile 21 my knee went to jello and gave out. I had to start walking and running slower if I was going to finish. Having my family there for encouragement helped so much. All of my kids ran with me for part of the course. Kolton stayed with us for 8 miles. I finished with a 4:55 and that's what I wanted to finish! I had to be happy and not discouraged I could not get a PR. With all the obstacles that got in my way finishing was amazing. I still am a little bummed that until mile 20 I was having a good race but I will get over thatJ.

I had my sister Robbie her husband Matt and son Patrick, My mother in law, and my children being amazing cheer leaders! Great signs great fun! Our new motto "girls with cute shoes run fast" ! The meaning behind it is " even though you are struggling and not having the best day or race put one foot in front of the other and finish what you started" I don't know if they will ever understand what it meant to me to have them cheering, I don't know if I would have finished without them. Kelly made this race to fun and memorable he brought a camera, phone, and fruit snacks. He had so much energy and was so excited to see his wife in this new way. He has only seen the long run Jennifer and not the marathoner. He pulled me through this race and made me laugh along the course talking to our family and trying to fix hotel problems while running down the road. I love him so much for this!

Everything we do in life is a lesson and a growing experience. I have found that marathons teach me determination. You can do anything if you set your mind to it I knew I would not have the time I wanted but I knew I could finish. TOU was such a growing experience for me and a very humbling experience.