My First 10K

Matt caught the running bug thanks to the encouragement/dare of his brother and sisters two years ago. I won't say that I've caught the same bug, but I did make an earnest effort.  As I have been ramping up my workouts, I have actually been pretty amazed at the goals I've met.  Not that I'm giving any Olympians a run for their money, but I am definitely not the same person I was a year ago.  So.... I decided if I was walking six miles at a time, I should try to participate in some kind of organized event that put my new found skills to good use.   Mid-June, this was the conversation at our house.

"Honey, I want to talk to you about something, but I don't want you to go nuts."

"Okay," Matt says cautiously.

"I think I want to do the Deseret News 10K on the 24th."

"Really? That's fantastic!"

"Yes, really, but don't be getting any big ideas about me being a runner girl."

"I think whatever you want to do is great."

"Okay.  Will you help me train, and promise to walk it with me if that's what it ends up being?  I mean.... don't leave me to get a better time."

"Of course; anything.  I think this is awesome."


So a couple of things about this conversation.  First, as you can tell, I have a very supportive husband; almost annoyingly so.  But it's a good thing, because if he hadn't been so supportive, I'm not sure I would have done it.  Second, I couldn't believe those words ever left my lips!

On the morning of the race we set out bright and early to the start line at Research Park at the University of Utah.  We met up with Katie, Carolyn, Alan, Catherine and Skyler and joined the throngs at the starting line.  And we ran.....

Here are my shoes with my timing chip on the morning of the race.  The flashy shoes make me look official.

Yes I ran.... nearly the entire first mile I ran.  I was actually ahead of others in the same race.  Never thought that would happen.

We ran and then walked and ran some more and then ran some more.  We drank a p$#%-poor excuse for PowerAde and ran down the parade route.  It was kind of awesome!  Not so much the panting, bouncing and sweating, but the crowd, the energy and the whole weight of the accomplishment.  Now let me be clear, I DID NOT experience the "runners high," but when enough time elapses, I think I would do it again.

I have a fantastic brother-in-law who takes great sports pictures.  He was awesome and showed up to photograph the whole event.  Check them out.

This is the part of the race where I finally see a familiar face in the crowd.  "Hey, it's Spencer... and he's got a camera.  Guess I better start running again."

"Hi guys!  Heck yeah, I've been running the whole time. Check out this awesome sweat stain on my shirt, and the lovely industrial-looking black sports bra.  Yep, I'm now officially a runner."

"Soooooo glad that's over.  Where the heck is my water?  Don't they have food after you finish these things.  Oh, there are the Creamies and the bananas."

Although I don't have an actual picture of this, shortly after this one was taken was when I had a sugar-overload from a banana and tried really hard to decide whether or not I wanted to throw up.  I decided against it.  And then, my stomach revolted and decided that it might want to poop my pants.  Apparently this isn't uncommon in race situations.  Well you mix that with my Homer stomach and it was not going to be pretty.  Fortunately, my phobia of pooping any place besides my own toilet kicked in and saved the day. TMI?  Probably, but it's my blog.

Anyway, Spencer snapped a couple of more pictures of us and then we were off... headed back to the start line, to our car and then on towards home and my favorite toilet.

Here we are, the hubby and I.  Couldn't have done it without him.  And by the way, every time I look at this picture, I think I'm holding a corn dog.  Oh well, wishful thinking.

Here we are, the whole motley crew after the race.  I'll be damned if there isn't fewer than five pounds between Matt and I and I'm still totally the fattest looking one in the picture.  Oh well, none of these other folks have squeezed out four kids.  Yay me!

Okay, here's the mushy part.

My husband is awesome; although he struggles with sentimentality.  Usually, that's okay, because sappiness doesn't pay the bills, but every once in a while, it's nice to have someone be thoughtful.  Matt's biggest obstacle to thoughtfulness is a lack of time; his schedule is packed to the gills.  Well this awesome man of mine did something truly wonderful for me for the race.  He put together an awesome playlist for me to listen to while running, complete with words of encouragement from my loved ones.  All my kids picked their favorite songs and recorded messages telling me how awesome I was.  He had my mom, my sister-in-laws, my brother-in-law and my father-in-law record messages for me.  It was sooo sweet.  I wouldn't be surprised if some of the sweat I thought was in my eyes were actually tears.... I was very touched.  He had taken time out of his schedule and put all of this together for me so that I could have a great experience.  He supported me 110%.  I have to say that I feel so blessed to have such a great cheerleader in my corner.  I love you honey!