St. George Marathon - PART 3 - The Beginning of Running the Marathon Up Until 5 Blocks Before the Finish Line!

As I started the race I felt fine.  Of course, I was cold.  I had on 2 layers, as well as gloves with hand warmers inside of them.  It was still pretty dark outside but, not too bad.  I didn't look around much.  Mostly just focused on one foot in front of the other and concentrated on my breathing.  Like I said in my previous post, people were passing me left and right.  I was passing people too but, with so many passing me and so fast, it was a little tough mentally.  I just kept going though and tried not to think about it too much.

One thing that was so neat to see and watch the entire race was the sea of runners!  It was SO COOL to see swarms of runners, making their way up and down the route to the very end!!!!

From this point on, some of the stuff I remember is vague, as far as where exactly it took place on the marathon route.  So, I'll just guess as I go (Amber Sheffield, if you remember more, you can help me out).  Somewhere around mile 2 or 2 1/2 miles into the race, Travis & Amber Sheffield found me.  I cannot tell you how RELIEVED I was to see them.  Amber could tell I was frustrated and was really good about getting me to talk it out and cry it out.  I instant felt a boost, seeing them and having them next to me!  I didn't even dare ask if Amber would or could be staying with me through the race.  I was hoping but, didn't want her to feel obligated or pressured.  So, I just was so grateful for the time she was with me.  So, on our way we went.  I was feeling better and refreshed.  The first 6 miles of the race were new territory for me, so that helped the time go a little faster for me. Soon near mile 7, we got to the town of Veyo.  People were so excited and happy and cheered us on.  I remember seeing an ambulance ahead of me and said to myself, as I was running, "Just run until you get to the ambulance, then take a break and walk a bit."  I soon realized that the ambulance was moving at a slow, steady pace so, I wouldn't actually get to the ambulance, ha ha.

After the town of Veyo comes the dreaded Veyo hill.  Previous to the marathon, I had only trained on Veyo hill twice.  The first time I hyperventilated, threw up, and had a horrible run.  The 2nd time was with the Farmer's and was a much better experience because JJ and Brittney helped me to focus on my breathing and keeping that in check so I didn't burn all of my energy out on the hill.  We started up the hill, and this is where I think the distance on my watch got messed up.  Usually when I trained up Veyo hill, I would go on the left side.  Well, this time I went on the right side.  I really think that made it longer and messed up my watch (as well as weaving to different sides of the road along the route a couple times), causing my watch to say I was .15 further than I really was.  That messed with my mind too.  So, Travis and Amber were with me as I started up Veyo hill.  Amber need a potty break so, she ran up the hill to use the bathroom so that as she was coming out, I would be caught up to her.  So, Travis stuck with me on this part.  Travis is a ball of energy, if any of you don't know him!  He has energy and excitement to spare!  So, as I'm trudging up the hill, looking like a dead horse, he's cruising and bouncing around, just happy as can be.  During the race I wanted to hurt him, ha ha but, honestly I admire those qualities and the face that he could stay happy, perky, and excited the entire time.  He was so good to share stories and fun interesting things.  I didn't say much or respond because I just don't have the energy to but, I listened.  Once Amber found us, Travis took his own break and then went back to find some people that he knew.  Amber and I kept moving and I was STILL SO GRATEFUL that Amber was still with me. 

My mind would wander a lot.  I had one headphone in my right ear and kept my other ear free to listen to Amber and Travis.  Off and on I would think about the other people I knew that were running, wondering where they were and how they were doing.  I would also think about my family and wondered what they were doing at that moment.  I also spent many moments praying, praying, and then praying some more.  I would also think about the route and what was coming up next.  These thoughts would come and go throughout the entire race.

The next major spot in the route was Dameron Valley hill.  This hill isn't as steep as Veyo hill but, it's LONG and just feels like it won't ever end.  I was already beat down a bit from Veyo hill and winded and frustrated.  I was not in the mood to tackle another hill but, I didn't have a choice.  Onward and upward, ha ha!  One thing that kept me going and trudging forward was knowing that Dameron Valley was the last LONG/BIG hill on the route.  I also knew that Diamond Valley wasn't too far away and if I could make it to that point, then I knew I could finish.  More tears came and, like I normally do, I kind of climbed inside myself and was very upset.  Amber recognized this and helped me talk out my frustrations, fears, etc.  While I couldn't just give up and Amber couldn't finish the race for me, it just helped to get all of that emotion out and breathe easier.  Amber was also AMAZING at just letting me cry it out, be upset, and not once did she seem annoyed, bothered, or frustrated that I going slower than I should have been, or that I couldn't run because my feet were killing me!  It was around this point (mile 9ish) that I can feel some horrible blisters either formed or forming on my feet.  Every time I would run, or try to, it felt like someone was stabbing my feet with a really dull, jagged knife!  It was painful!  So, I would just focus on walking really, really fast.  That would have to do for now.  We came across a few different people that chatted with us. First were these 2 ladies.  One of them was a jabber-box but, in an obnoxious kind of way. :-)  She was talking about how she had been kind of following us and now she was getting to pass us, something like that.  The next was a really cool, nice man!  I do remember his last name being Horlacher (I grew up with and had friends with the same last name).  He was AWESOME!  He was telling us about how he had heritage in the St. George Marathon.  I think it was his Grandpa? who helped or put together the first St. George Marathon.  He shared some really neat stories about how the aid stations worked back then, etc.  This man was what I needed because for the short time he was with us, he really helped to take my mind off of me and the pain and listen to him.  He was so nice!  Then, he went on his way.  I remember next seeing a hang glider dude cruising around and how I was wishing I could get on and fly to the finish line!

My first REALLY HARD and TOUGH spot came around mile 11 or 12.  I kept thinking, "Holy crap, I haven't even hit the half way spot!  Then I have to do what I've just done all over again!"  I've come to realize that unless it's like a 5k or 10k, telling myself that I'm half way done will not help me but, will only make me discouraged.  So, I won't be doing that anymore.

I FINALLY hit the 1/2 way spot (mile 13.1), which is right before Diamond Valley.  I LOVE running from Diamond Valley!  The hill going down from there is WONDERFUL and I just feel good running that stretch.  So, I was happy to hit that spot.  Except I had PAINFUL FEET at that point and when I tried to run, it was EXTREMELY PAINFUL!  I was frustrated but, I just kept going.   About half way in between Diamond Valley and the Snow Canyon lookout/entry point, Amber let me know that the BOOYAH group (you can read about where the BOOYAH group came from here: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2013/09/07/sam-booyah-braydon-tribute-ride-remembering-beloved-athlete-friend-family-man-1/) was right behind me.  I went into panic mode and freaked out a bit and started to cry. My watch had said a different story, that I was right on my pace mark and was fine.  However, I didn't really trust my watch at this point, because the mileage was off so, I must've had everything else off.  The BOOYAH group was pacing to finish at a certain time and would be close to the cut-off mark.  I needed to have a healthy space away from them so I wouldn't feel pressured and worry about not finishing.  So, I cried and decided to get my butt in gear and get going and RUN!!!  It hurt, I'm not going to lie but, it kind of went numb the distance that I DID run!  I just kept going and going until I had to go back to a fast walk.  Amber looked behind and couldn't see the BOOYAH group anymore so, I was able to breathe and focus again.  Travis found us shortly after that stretch, around mile 15 or 16.  He let us know that the BOOYAH group was ahead of the original paced/finishing time and that "The Sweeper" ("The Sweeper" is a runner who paced the end of the marathon, to make sure people would get past the cut-off point, in the time allowed, if they stayed with or ahead of him) was way behind them!  I was SO RELIEVED to hear that!  There was hope for me!  I am SO GRATEFUL that Amber gave me that kick in the pants that I needed though.  It not only gave me the push I needed to get out of my pity-party and my rut, but it also gave me a fresh, positive outlook on the remainder of the race.  I kind of put my mind at ease and KNEW that I was going to make it past the cut-off time and finish this marathon!

Sometime after the Ledges, I started looking for people that I may know.  After The Ledges, it was hard to get past and see any runners or watch the marathon.  However, from the Ledges to the finish line, anyone could watch.  I started to get really sick to my stomach around mile 18.  I needed a port-a-potty NOW!!!!  Luckily for EVERYONE, especially Amber and myself, there was one just past there and I might live!  Ha ha!  It also felt good to stop, take a good breather stop, have some ICY/HOT rubbed on my legs, and kind of re-group!  I even saw LaRae (from Planet 94.1)running in a tutu, ha ha!  I think she's funny!

The next neat spot that I came to happened around/after the BOOYAH aid station, which was around mile 21 or 22.  I had finished filling up my water, drinking my Gatorade, when I see JJ and Brittney Farmer making their way to find me!!!!  I had completely spaced them coming back to find me!  It was SO AWESOME to see them and totally gave me an extra boost!  They had finished running the marathon and then turned around to come back and find me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It really touched me and meant SO MUCH!  I felt like the LUCKIEST and MOST LOVED girl in the world, because running on one side of me was Amber and Travis Sheffield.  On the other side I had JJ and Brittney Farmer!  I had SO MUCH SUPPORT!!!!  It was SO COOL!  Shortly after that, Amber and Travis dropped off from running with us and went back to the BOOYAH aid station, to wait for the rest of the BOOYAH group to catch up and finish with them.

I remember getting very excited and thrilled when we started the drop off from Highway 18 down to where it changes to Bluff St.  The cut-off spot, where you had to be by 1pm, was at the intersection of Bluff St. and Snow Canyon Parkway.  I could see that spot and felt so much happiness, relief, and excitement because I had beat the cut-off time.  I had no pressure after that and knew it was just one foot in front of the other, until the end.  I could envision my friends and my family, all there at the end, making this all worth it!  I was pumped!!!!!

We hit the intersection and I happen to see my friend Nancy, her husband Pete, and her two kids (Preston and Michael)!!!!

Something about seeing friends or family on the course makes me super emotional, happy, and excited!  I was OVER-JOYED to see Nancy!  Nancy has been one of the main people, that has been with me through this entire journey from Day 1, and extremely supportive!!!!  She even went on a drive of the course to get to know it and see where good places would be to wait for me, and took notes!  She's just been awesome and really there for me!  So, I hugged her and had noticed she and my friend, Cheryl, had made THE CUTEST signs for the race!

 SO FUN!  So, then I took off again.  Nancy (who was pregnant and sick), started running with me!  She was so positive, happy, excited AND in flip-flops!  She stuck with us for a quarter of a mile!  I was SO IMPRESSED and loved having her run with me!  She wanted to get back and see me at the finish line, so she quickly took Pete home (he had to go to work) and hurried to get back!  She's AMAZING!

Pretty soon we hit the corner of Diagonal St. and Bluff St.  During my training, I've always kind of disliked the last stretch of the marathon, from Diagonal, onto the end.  The road is uneven and just crappy.  I have never liked it.  So, I was kind of dreading it and  wasn't too sure of how it would go.  We rounded the corner and someone had misters set up and they were also grilling hot dogs, I think!  The misters felt really good!  Ahhhhh!  Then came the popsicles!  I had heard that someone usually hands out popsicles on Diagonal St.  However, I just figured that by the time I came through, that they would be gone.  I was wrong, YAY!!!!!!!  They were still handing out popsicles.  Mmmmm, it tasted so good!  I didn't keep it long because I just couldn't run and hold onto the popsicle and suck on it at the same time!  Too much energy, ha ha!  We kept moving down the road, and my arches started to cramp up here and there.  So, I would stop and stretch out my arches and then get on my way again.  Meanwhile, Brittney and JJ stayed with me the entire time!  They were EXACTLY how I needed them to be!  They were happy, patient, kind, motivating, and encouraging!  They kept reminding me I was almost there and reminded me of my family, the medal, etc.  The end was SO CLOSE!  From Diagonal St., we turned onto 300 W.  I've always thought this was so funny and interesting because we pass right by a mortuary!  In fact, this year they had some pretty funny signs!  I remember one of them saying something like: "Dig deep but, not too deep!"  I was sad to see that the first aid station I worked at last year, was not there this year!  :-(  I guess they weren't able to find someone to handle it.  By now, the temperatures were pretty warm.  I was getting more and more cramped up and my feet were on FIRE!!!!!  From 300 W., we turned left, onto Tabernacle Dr.  What's funny was at this point I really couldn't see faces on the spectators.  I was kind of delirious and just focusing on finishing without chopping my feet off.  However, I could hear voices cheering me on, "Go Laura!", etc.  I didn't know who it was because I couldn't focus on faces.  JJ told me it was a man and woman and the guy was wearing all black.  With just that description, I knew exactly who it was!  It was Mike's boss and wife (Jason and Tera) and parents.  We had text back and forth as to what we were all wearing for the marathon!  They had finished a couple + hours before me and they had stuck around to see me finish!!!!!!!!  I thought it was incredibly kind of them!  Jason came after me when I hit the Washington County School Administrative building, because he could see I was having problems with cramping in my feet.  He gave me some salt pills to take, which I did, and cheered me on to keep going.

We saw a funny thing, as we were nearing the corner of Tabernacle and Main St.  There was 3 runners in front of us.  The middle one was a girl, in her 20's, running.  We looked at her and it appeared that she had a fluorescent yellow tail!  It was SO FUNNY to look at!  After studying her "tail", I realized it was her draw string and it had gone down between her thighs and had wrapped up behind her, causing her to look like she had a tail!  This gave me a good laugh!!!!

One of my other favorite things was around Main St. and 100 S., some people were handing out wet, cold towels!  That felt SO GOOD around my neck and gave some relief from the heat I was feeling.  I kind of woke me up too!  After this spot, we only had 5 blocks to the finish line.  Although, these aren't short Wellsville-style blocks.  The blocks on 300 S. are a little longer.  I didn't care though, because the end was near and I COULD NOT WAIT to see my family and friends!!!!  I could feel myself getting emotional, knowing it was near!