2nd and Final!

Yesterday was the marathon.
I could not sleep all week I was so happy it was finally here. I had dreams and scary dreams that the course was a obstacle course and I got stuck in a cave, the rocks had fallen, and closed me in.
Luckily nothing like that happened. I got up at 3:30 am, stretched, and ate breakfast, went to the bathroom, got dressed and got ready for the race. I was so pumped, my legs ached with running excitement, they just wanted to run.
I added up all my miles and compared them to my first marathon training. 2 years ago:715, this year 750, and I weight lifted and did other cross training things, biking, stair machine, rowing machine, and a lot of children chasing, and lifting them too.
I felt more ready for this, and I just wanted to beat my last time. My brain really wanted a 4 hour marathon, my legs were happy with a 4 hour and 30 min.
I was up the canyon with 3000 of ready runners, and I was excited. The race began, and we started to run, well jog, too many people to take off right at the beginning. It took about 3 miles to kind of spread out.
I was running fast probably too fast for the first seven or so miles. I was drinking and eating everything they offered. I got to the half, and I thought well, I can be done! I continued on, and I got to mile 17 and almost called mike, I just have nothing to prove anymore. I got a burst of energy to help me down the canyon, and I called Mike at mile 22 and told him where to meet me to finish with him and the kids. I was so happy this was almost over. I finished at 4 hours and 49 min. I beat my last time, that was 5 hours 4 min., I will take it! I fought many tears throughout the whole race. So emotional.
I look back and I seriously could not have ran any faster, and I am grateful for my legs that carried me for 26.2 miles. I didn't hit a big wall, I never stopped running, unless I was drinking. I may have hit a slow down wall, but never a stop wall, and don't start again. I am so happy for this.
It was a little frustrating at times, people do run 4 min and walk 1 or run 10 and walk 1, and I kept passing them, and then they would pass me, very frustrating playing cat and mouse for miles 17-24. One time they asked where I was from and they called me that EVERY single time they saw me and said you need to join our team, 4 and 1 is the way to go. They stopped at first aid stations, and I wanted to say ya, your 4 and 1 really worked! I didn't, I just kept going and I beat them! It was a hard race mentally, I am in better physical shaped than ever before, but man, your brain plays some games with you.
On mile 23 I saw a good friend and her family come and support me. She was so kind to do this, and it was very encouraging. Thank you!!
I am grateful for my family and their support, my dad yelled at mile 26, pick it up Jessie! (Some of my sisters were their and my niece and my mom too. It was so great to have them all there, thank you so much.) To my dads comment, I told him probably with sad eyes, I'm really trying dad! Mike pushed the kids for the last .3, and they were awesome to do this with me, I was so happy that he was there to push me, and tell me how proud he was of me, and when we finished someone yelled yay, mom!!! I sprinted as fast as I could to the finish. I started strong and finished stronger!  I was so excited, and exhausted!
I am grateful for my loved ones on the other side, they were their when I needed them. I felt uncle bob on mile 1-4, grandpa pete on a big 2.5 mile incline, and my grandparents who just passed away on mile 17-19. I am sure their were others, and I feel blessed to have them on my team. I am grateful for Heavenly Father, that He gave me the power to do this and the will, and injury free.
I am so glad that I am not addicted to running anymore, I can see how it can be addicting, but I just want to be healthy, no extremes for me anymore.
Thanks to all who supported me and cheered me on.
Now for a week of recovery. I can't walk really, and I am sore, I guess that comes with the craziness of it all.