Running - you either love it or hate it

So I have officially signed up for my first marathon. I signed up for the Top of Utah which will take place on September 22, 2008 in Logan Utah. Now some of you might say this is no big deal and why are you posting about it, but I am scared out of my mind. I didn't want to tell any body I was doing it just in case I wanted to drop out. But now everybody knows and I have to do it. Training so far has been going well. I ran 7 miles on Saturday and survived. That is 1/4 of the marathon right there. I know I can at least run 13 miles because I have run a couple half marathons, so 13 + 13 equals 26 right? I can do it. (Or at least I tell myself I can. :)) I have tried to sign up for the St. George Marathon a couple times but it is a lottery and I never get the winning ticket. So I figure this year I am determined to run a marathon so I signed up for the Top of Utah where there is no lottery and I am running it.

On August 11, 2006 I met Brighton's family for the first time. I remember this because on August 12, 2006 I ran my first half marathon. I was so nervous to meet Brighton's family but once I got over my nerves about meeting his family I was nervous the rest of the night because I had to run a half marathon the next monring! I ran my second half marathon August of 2007. I don't remember that exact date but I do know it was in August. I hadn't trained very well for it because I didn't want to so unfortunatly it was painful. I had only run six miles previously and it was on July 24th. At about mile 8 I wanted to stop and my body hurt from head to toe. But I made it through and only threw up three times after. Here is a video of the end of my race and the picture at the beggining of this post was a picture taken after the race. If in the video I look like I am running slow and dieing, it is because I am, and thirty minutes after the picture was taken I throwing up. I don't post these pictures because I look good (because trust me I know I look like death just warmed over), but I post them because I accomplished something good in my life. I hope to always be physically active and pushing myself to reach new goals. It is a fun challenge.

I do have to mention though that my husband is always to great to take me to my races. The first race that he took me to was a half marathon. My very first one (and we were only dating.) He has even run in a couple races with me, but that is another story for another day. But for the half marathons he always gets up at 4:00am and drives me to the course, waits the entire time I am running, and he is always there to cheer me on at the end! Thanks Brighton! I couldn't do it without you.