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Yesterday was the big day…the day that I ran the Salt Lake City Marathon in hopes of raising a little money for CF.  The forecast showed a sunny day with mild temperatures which I was very excited about.  My sister Sarah was my back end support, going with me to the starting line and meeting me along the way.  I couldn’t have done it without her.  Thanks Sarah, you’re the best!  So on four hours of sleep I get ready to run the Salt Lake City Marathon!  Here is a little video of me just before starting:

It was a very long 26.2 miles, and truly an amazing experience.  However, for me it’s something I want to do only once.  I participated in the early start which began 45 minutes before the actual marathon began.  There were some definite positives to this.  First, we didn’t have to fight mobs and mobs of people.  Second, I knew I wouldn’t be the last one out on the road.  Third, the outhouses at the starting line were the freshest I’ve ever been in, untouched.  I’ve never been in a better smelling honey bucket.  The only negative about starting early is that by about half way, I was being passed by hundreds of runners, making me feel like I was a real slowpoke.

I loved the great people who sat out in their front yards and cheered us runners on.  It really helped to have some encouragement.  The sign that I will never forget was the one that was help up by a woman and it said, “Define yourself.”  Wow!  I loved that!

After about mile 20, I was really feeling it.  My right ankle was hurting badly and my right calf muscle was threatening to cramp up at any moment.  So today, my right ankle is swollen and bruised and my right calf muscle feels like I had one of the worst Charley Horses ever.  My knees felt great the entire race.  I was very under trained, but it ended up being the best decision ever because my knees needed to heal from all of my long runs.  Here is the video of me just after finishing.  I was holding back some tears and found that the last mile was a very emotional one for me.

So, one question you might have is, “What was your finish time?”  Well, I’m going to tell you all in one week because I want to give you all a chance to go to Julia’s Warriors donation page and get your guesses in.  Sarah has rounded up some great prizes for the three closest winners, things such as Park City Alpine Slide tickets, Laser Quest tickets, and much more.  So far only five people have put in guesses so chances of winning are very high.  All you need to do is go to Julia’s Warriors donation page and donate a minimum of $20 and put your guess time in the comments section.  The top three guesses will receive prizes.  My goal was to raise $3000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and we so far have raised $920.  I need your help desperately!  I’m begging you to please help us.  We can’t do this alone.  We are so close to a cure…so close.