Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Cal Marathon 12/7/08

It's been a goal of mine to run a marathon in between each child in order to stay in tip-top shape. :) Hence the reason why I signed up for the Cal Marathon in Sacramento, California this December. Runners include: Kathy(full), Molly(1/2), Rebecca(relay leg).
^The night before, Rebecca, Molly and I headed up to Sacramento for the expo...some shopping (matching shoes)
...and some dinner. :)
^Kathy and I met up in the morning right before the race began, or right after I should say. :) After a quick picture we started with the pace group between 4:15 and 4:30. 4:30 was our flexible goal. :)
^The first 8 miles seemed to fly by! We were feeling good and keeping close to the 4:15.
^ We took LOTS of much needed stretching breaks and aid station breaks! No fuel belt felt awesome, and the oranges, bananas, food, jolly ranchers, roadside cheerers, friends and family were life savers!

^Rebecca and Molly were such great supporters and always the breath of fresh air we needed to keep us moving! They met us at mile 8 with drinks, gu's and power bars. Then at 14  miles where Molly joined us for the remainder of the race.
^After seeing Rebecca at 18 miles and then Kathy's family at mile 20 where Kathy's mother-in-law joined us, I think we both lost a little fire. This is where the 4:30 pace group passed us. We caught it and lost it for a few miles. I had some calf cramping and we were pooped!! 

^Then I saw my Ed and Sarah at mile 22!! I definitely needed that boost! It was so helpful to see family/friends so frequently for the last 6 miles of the race. It took me 4 miles to catch the 4:30 pace sign, but I was determined!! I caught it at mile 26 with .2 miles to go! After seeing Ed right after mile 26 I sprinted to the end and finished at 4 hours 29 minutes and 25 seconds. My fastest marathon! Yay for my new PR! I was #207 for my division and 3820 overall.
^ Pleasure to run with you Kathy! I loved training and running with you! Such a great memory! Kathy did awesome and it was her first marathon.
^Couldn't have done it without you ladies! (and all others who joined for training runs)
^Couldn't have done it without my hottie Ed and cutie pie Sarah! Love you!! 

Next marathon post baby #2- St. George 2010! You in? 

7 comments:

Molly said...

We had so much fun with you guys! You guys rocked that race! Good job!

Kristen said...

You're amazing. I wish I could sign up with you for the St. George 2010, maybe the half! Only you could look so good after just running 26.2 miles!

J K J S and L said...

Loved running with you Linds! It really was such a pleasant experience - all of it, except that 18 miler:) Thanks for being such a great running partner and a dear friend. Thanks to Molly and Rebecca for saving us along the way! You know I'm in for the next one.

Landon and Debbie said...

linds, you are so great at everything you do. It was so fun to be with you all for Christmas. We love you guys so much. Sarah is so wonderful. We loved being with her too. What a little sweetheart. Well lets keep in touch and keep making more lovely memories:) Okay I know I am a nerd... I just can't help it:)

Kira Thunell said...

Congrats Linds! You are inspiration to me. It was great to see pics of Kathy too - that's awesome she ran with you, how fun!! I would love to run in St. George. Hmm? wonder if I could get into shape. We have some friends here who are encouraging me to run a half marathon in August so perhaps that's a good start. Anywho, much love to the Harmans.

Unknown said...

Wowee! You are amazing! I seriously wish I didn't suck at running so much, and didn't hate it so much. I would love to call myself a runner. But no, I will stick to lifting weights and the eliptical. Hope to see you soon!

Kurst said...

Linds you're amazing! I'm running the Salt Lake 1/2 in April and I want to run a full marathon so bad but I honestly don't know if I'd make it. You are such an inspiration, I'm going to try. I'll let you know if I'm in for St. George.