I'm a Finsher! (a.k.a The post with too many pictures of just me and Kelly and I forgot to suck in my stomach and I don't look so hot in most of them)

This past weekend, Kelly and I drove up to Provo so I could run the Utah Valley Marathon. My mom came up to our house to watch the kiddies so just the two of us could go. I promised myself when I left Provo 7 years ago that I would never return to Utah. I h-a-t-e-d that place and for the most part I was able to keep my promise. I had not returned to Provo for all those years and it was a surprise to me that when we drove around town that I didn't want to vomit. What surprise that I'm so desperate for green and color, that I actually didn't mind Provo! Now, I'm still far too cynical to appreciate the perma-grins on the co-eds and everybody's so bubbly and nice, but I truly don't hate Provo anymore.

While there, we did the quintessential BYU date night stuff. We carbo loaded at Brick Oven where Kelly was super rebellious and got an Apple Beer. Shhhh! Don't tell!
I, of course, high-tailed it the the BYU bookstore and stocked up on my former study snacks (i.e. cinnamon bears).



Kelly tried to look like Bieber.



We got ice cream at the Creamery on 9th and took about a gazillion pictures but only the one where I'm not actually looking at the camera turned out okay.

The next morning I had to catch the bus by 4:15 a.m. All the marathon and half marathon runners were bussed up to the starting lines for the races. This was really where I missed my partner in crime who trained with me for the last 3 months. Jessica got injured and couldn't run the marathon and it was such a different experience to be there alone. I find that running with my friends makes all the difference in the world and don't think I would intentionally run a marathon on my own again.

Kelly found me in Provo Canyon at mile 16 and again at mile 18. It was so good to see him. I was very tired at that point and pretty desperate to be done. Although this was definitely the most beautiful race I've ever done, it wasn't my best run. My legs felt tired so early on and I struggled with the altitude, mostly because I was sick I think. I had been concerned about an injury in my leg and although it didn't bother me at all during the race, I was always worried it was going to start hurting.

We ran along University Avenue for the last 6 miles. I could see the finish line the last mile or so but it seemed that the closer I got, the further away it looked. I was so so tired but wanted to get under 4:20 so I was able to sprint (or what felt like sprinting at that time) to the finish.

Once I found Kelly I started crying and coughing and stuff was coming out of my nose and I was a mess.

Then I once again realized why I will never live in Utah. They had this nice banner where runners could take pictures after they completed the race, but instead of saying finIsher, it said finsher. So sad. So, I am a Utah Valley Marathon Finsher.

After I got cleaned up and pulled myself together and wiped my nose, we met some old Los Hermanos co-workers and friends for chips and salsa. I'm good now for another 7 years.

We found our first apartment together and it looks exactly the same. It was such a little dump but it will always be our first home.

Then one more stop to Shirley's bakery to share an elephant ear. It was fun to see all of our old homes and favorite places that used to be such a big part of our lives.

What a quick weekend but it was a lot of fun! Next time, though, I want a vacation without a race and to stay up past 9 o'clock.

And I will deny this if ever I am asked, but I actually was a little sad to leave the green splendor and mountainous view of Utah and return to the beige ways of home.

Now, it's two days after the race and I am able to walk with only a minimal amount of pain. This time I feel much worse than I did with Carlsbad. I'm not sure why, but I'm enjoying the break and rest time. Next marathon will be in February of 2012. Hooray!