The Moab Half Marathon
Saturday, March 21, 2009


It started early, waking up at 7, getting to the buses around 7:45. Then a 13.1 mile ride up the canyon. We thought it was hilarious to be on a school bus, it had been years. We ran into one of Hans' best friends from high school, Paul Alder and he's in the seat behind us.

The train of buses kept coming and coming, takes a while to bus almost 4000 runners.

They look empty, but what you can't see is the 10 lines that are just a few feet back, and the lines kept getting longer. Nerves....

We asked a guy to take our picture before we got rid of the camera, and I made a sassy remark about his "Utah" shirt, so after he took our pic, he turned it on himself. Pretty funny.

Once the gun went off, it took a minute or so to cross the start line. I don't know if it was adrenaline, or feeling like the pace bunny, I took the front and pushed hard, around an 8:30 pace (which is fast for me and faster than we have done most of our runs.) Leigh Anne got sick around mile 6 and we all felt for her, any given day it could be any of us. Gretchen had to take a potty break, but pulled a 7 minute mile and caught us. I felt really good, and after a few gels and some water breaks, we were coming out of the canyon. Kathy started to hit her wall and slowed a bit, but Gretch and I wanted it over with! It was hot and we were tired, but we pulled it in and crossed the line at the exact same second. My watch said 1:56, three minutes faster than my 1:59.59 goal! I was excited, mainly to check it off my list, but also because I felt good. (I still couldn't walk down the stairs Sunday!)

After the race, Todd (Kathy's honey) & James (Leigh's sweety) mixed us recovery drinks, we stretched and talked. We were all very grateful it was over. Extra applause for Leigh Anne, finishing a race after throwing up....total stud!! And way to go Kathy for running through her wall. Gretchen...a 7 minute mile? Are we holding you back girl?

5000 total runners at this event which includes a 5 mile race.

Official finishers!

I love these girls! Bound together by early morning runs! Thanks for helping me accomplish a goal I set 10 years ago! What's next?