The St. George Marathon...

Family,

I thought I would give a quick rundown of my AMAZING St. George Marathon experience:

I left from Provo on Friday, October 3 at about 3:30pm with my roommate Marissa and her married couple friends. It was a fine trip and nice to be with 2 people who were also running the marathon...and had already done it before. I was worried about dinner because I didn't think we stop along the way and I knew I couldn't wait to eat until 7 or 8pm to eat or I would be sick for the marathon. We did end up stopping at about 6:30 and I got some gross chicken fingers and fries from DQ. It actually filled me up. The food was so salty, I thought I would be dehydrated for the marathon.

We finally got to the Marathon Expo (convention) at about 7:30pm. We got our numbers and shoe chips (to track our time) and even marathon shirts and posters. Pretty cool. I ran (haha) into a few friends, including Dustin (a guy from my ward over the summer who convinced me to sign up for it and we never ran together once). I chilled around there for a bit and then called Whitney and Ashley to see where they were.

Whitney and Ashley finally got there at about 8:15, which ended up being perfect. We drove to Hurricane (about 15 minutes away) to our hotel room. I took a shower and climbed into bed at about 10:30. I fell asleep fast, but I kept waking up due to texts, or because it was so hot, etc. My alarm went off at 4am and we all got up. I was so nervous. I hoped that I could actually run it.

We left the hotel at 4:30 and headed to the starting line. I was so scared driving there. It seemed so far away and it was dark outside and raining. Ashley dropped Whit and I off and we got some pictures taken. I was freezing and of course did not prepare for it, so I insisted on borrowing Whitney's sweatshirt. Then I put a garbage bag over it that said: "I heart running!" My roommate Marissa made it. Since it was so cold outside there were fires. I stood by a fire to warm myself. I talked to a few runners that were experienced and they gave me advice. Then I saw Marissa and her brother Kelin. They were going crazy and were so excited. Then Marissa had to go to the bathroom and I never saw her again until after the marathon.

I ran a mile with Kelin and then I was on my own. I was grateful though because I wanted to go at my own pace. I had trained by myself. I was feeling so good. I hit mile 4 and I couldn't belive it. I wasn't listening to my ipod, I was just enjoying the experience, looking around, watching people, etc. The scenery was amazing. Lots of times I would be looking around me and run into people. The canyons, hills, trees, etc. I took Justin's advice and drank gatorade at every moment I could. I also ate these little fruit snack blocks whenever I felt a little hungry and they were perfect.

I knew I would see Whitney at mile 7 and that's when I had planned on giving her the sweatshirt, but I was still kind of cold and it was still raining. I didn't even notice Whitney until I passed her, so I just kept the sweatshirt.

I kept running and got to what they call "Hell's Hill"...the steepest hill of the marathon. It wasn't too bad, but by the time I was done with that hill I was feeling really hot. I had to take the sweatshirt off. I took a quick bathroom break (because of all the gatorade) and took off the sweatshirt. I was sure I would see Whitney again soon, but after about 2 or 3 miles of holding this heavy wet sweatshirt, I threw it to the side of the road. I will have to buy her a new one...

After I got rid of the sweatshirt, it was like I got my second wind. I was at mile 17 and I was feeling great. I turned up my ipod and I was running so fast. Maroon 5 (the music group) got me through some of the hardest parts of the marathon. I was feeling great. After a few miles, my legs started feeling really tired and I slowed down a tiny bit, but then I realized that it hurt more to slow down, so I kept on running.

When I reached mile 20 I couldn't believe it. The furthest I ever ran in my training was 20 miles and I almost died. I was at mile 20 and feeling fine. I about cried. I really was going to finish this marathon. I realized that your prayers helped. I also kept telling myself this phrase that seems silly, but that Marissa told me would help, "relax, power, glide". It actually did help. I was actually enjoying the marathon and had the stamina to do it all!

At mile 22 I ran into Whitney (the movie that you see). She pumped me up and when she said that Ashley was waiting for me at mile 24, it just made me run even faster. I finally got to mile 24 and Ashley was no where to be found. I about cried. Your emotions go crazy after you have been running so long. I thought that she must have left or barely missed me. I began to think that if they are at least waiting for me at the finish line, that was good enough.

After about a half of a mile I saw Ashley. I almost cried. She started running with me. I had told her before to not crack jokes or ask me questions because I would not be feeling very good by that time. She did an awesome job and I wasn't feeling as bad as I thought I would be. She ran with me for a mile and then I told her that I wanted to run the last bit by myself. She ran to the finish line to meet me.

After she left I began to wonder if I should have asked her to run with me a little more. It was tough, but people were cheering on every side. I was so tired. I got to mile 26 and .2 miles seemed so far away. I refused to walk. I know that the Lord lifted my legs to the finish line. I heard people yelling my name, but I was too focused on finishing. Finally I crossed and about collapsed. The lady gave me a medal and a hug. I saw Whitney and Ashley. Whitney was bawling and I was too. Ashley had TE's. It was amazing!

I finished the marathon in about 4 hrs. and 40 minutes. It was amazing. That was faster than I ever trained. I was so proud of myself. I wasn't expecting to finish that early. Like I said in my last e-mail, this has all been such a spiritual experience for me. When I started my training the most I had ever run was 5 miles. No one thought I could run this, even myself, but I was dedicated. I believe that I did so well because I was so dedicated to my training. I never missed a day. The Lord helped me so much too. He answered my prayers. Having Whitney and Ashley there helped me go faster too. The weather made me run faster.

Today I think it is a miracle that I did that. I really believe that I can do anything now. Wow, you have a goal and work hard for it, you can achieve it. I am grateful that I didn't get injured and that the Lord helped me so much to do this. I love you all so much. Enjoy the movie clips.

Haley

St. George Marathon!!!

Right before the marathon it was cold, so I warmed myself by the fire.



I wore Whitney's sweatshirt and a garbage bag that said "I heart running!" It was very cold and rainy!



This is after the marathon...



This is also after the marathon...



The awesome medal I got after the marathon. 26.2 miles!



Whit and I at the starting line.