Saturday, August 23, 2008

My Very Own Gold Medal


two minutes before 26 miles

two minutes after 26 miles


Today I ran my first marathon. I know most are surprised, in the past, I didn't even exercise let alone marathon train. So here is the story. My little sis had Signed up to run the Park City Marathon, and started her training. During this time she was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and has been fighting it ever since. It has been a roller coaster of emotions for her but she keeps working to get it under control. I know that she would have loved to run this marathon but since the diagnosis she can't run. So I started to train and was going to "Run it For Her" this only gave me two months to train for something that I should be training for six months. But it was more motivations. A marathon has been on my list of things to do for at least ten years. I was determined to finish it. And Today I did it. Not without some kinks in the road. Last week I had so much pain in my right ankle I was having a hard time putting any pressure on it. Yesterday morning I got the same stomach flu Jake had three days before and started throwing up. But by the mid day I was fleeing better and could keep food down. I was so nervous and at three in the morning I couldn't stand how much pain I was having in my ankle and had to start the Ibuprofen then.

I got up early and Jess drove me to the starting line. I didn't know what to expect from my ankle but as I started to run it loosened up and the pain was completely gone. What a blessing from the Lord. I felt great. The altitude didn't seem to be affecting me and by mile 6 I thought that this just might be easy. That story change quickly as I continued to run another 6 miles up hill. At mile thirteen I was ready to be done. I could feel the lack of energy and even though I had ran 18 miles before this seemed harder. I was truly humbled as 80 year old men passed me and I was beet, I decreased speed, and had to start walking through the water stations. I worked hard until mile 20. It got pretty ugly from then on out. But I was trying to run at least part of every mile until the 26.2 finish line. I didn't have the best finishing time but I was able to reach my goal of just finishing and it was nice to have reached my other goal of finishing under 5 hours. As I ran around the last corner I felt like crying I didn't know why, maybe it was because I had survived or that I had pushed myself and succeeded or seeing my family and kids cheer me on.
Matt couldn't make it because of work but he has been my biggest fan through it all. Taking the kids so that I could run as much as poss, bringing me ice when my bad knees hurt and always rooting for me. Ans thanks for all the prayers.
So when they handle me the metal I felt just like it was my very own Olympic gold.

17 comments:

ChristyLou said...

Congratulations! So awesome. I'm really happy for you and impressed by your perseverance. Congrats on your Olympic Gold!

Cristi said...

Yea Julie! YOU DID IT!!! I'm so glad that you survived. Congratulations and you need to call me and tell me all about it.

Anonymous said...

Wowee! What a morning...you did so good Jules I'm so proud of you and glad that you stuck it through...I was so happy to see you coming around that corner. I love you.

Broderick Clan said...

Julie your my hero! I'm so impressed at your will power and motivation. You definatly get the Gold!

the youngs said...

You are the next Michael Phelps! Seriously....you are my hero! Let's do the Music City Half Marathon in April! What do you say!?!

Kara's Party Ideas said...

holy cow jules..what's next?!?!?! you ROCK! and hello freaking skinny girl!!! where did you go?!?! :) :) you look AWESOME!!!!

Ashlee said...

Julie!!! Wow! I am so proud of you! You look amazing! Oh by the way this is Ashlee Hatch Werner...I found your blog while looking at Marissa Youngs comments lol! I can't believe what a small world it is! Your family is so cute and it is so good to see how happy you guys are! It has been soooo long since I have seen you. We are kinda in the same boat with our husbands and the never ending schooling. Greg is applying to Ortho schools right now so we will be moving in June. Maybe to Nashville :)

Bri or Aaron said...

Wow! What an amazing time! I can't believe it. Good job!

Bri or Aaron said...

Oh, the swimsuit pic wasn't that bad. You look great! Also, Jess should go out with Neil again.

HeatherM said...

I knew you'd did it & do it well! Congrats your awesome!

Annie said...

Yeah for you- I'm so proud of you. I have just started training myself for a marathon again. It's slow going but I'm inspired by you. My sis just did a half marathon so We are going to do the top of UTah next year. You in for another. GOod job girlie!!

Bale Family said...

That's amazing! You are my motivation !

carrie said...

Wow! Julie I am seriously impressed? So..you think you'll do another one? That picture of you and your sister is like two you's! You guys look VERY alike!!

carrie said...

that's supposed to be an exclamation point not a question mark after the seriously impressed...just to clear that up!

Gwen said...

You are AWESOME! I can't even run a mile without quitting! great job!
(Carrie's sister)

Carrie said...

I just realized I haven't posted on this. Sorry. :(
You are amazing!!! I know it about kicked your behind, but you recovered. And now you even want to do it again?! You are a wonder woman. We're super proud of you!

Meli said...

Way to go!! I have secretly wanted to run a marathon too--so will you run mine for me???