The start line was cold so it felt good to start running the first 6 miles were easy, we just cruised alone and kinda took everything in. I was so awesome to see all the other runners up ahead of us going up the hills. Then came the infamous Veyo Hill we just decided to run as much as we could then walk. We ran most of the way. Then came the next hill I swear that thing was never going to end it seemed like we climbed and climbed. We were running mile 9 for Jayci and even though we ran almost the whole mile before we remembered, I thought at the end this is a hard mile, but what her and her family is going through is a million times harder and If they can go through that i can make it through this. I loved the aid stations having so many really helped it was kinda seemed like it made it go by easier and faster because you would get through one,run a mile then there was another one ! While we were running it was awesome one of my old young women's leaders was a volunteer at one of the aid stations it was so cool to see people you know along the coarse. I also got to see the girls I ran ragnar with, so that was fun.! My friend Shaunna was also along the coarse cheering us on , I got to see her 2 different times that was awesome. We were cheerleaders together when I was a freshman and she was a senior and she worked with me all summer, so I wouldn't completely suck, and would feel comfortable out there, And there she was again 15 years later cheering me on again ! It was awesome!
After mile 13 we decided to walk a minute after each mile !! I sure looked forward to that minute ! seriously miles 13-20 just kinda flew by we got a text that Lexie had finished and we were so happy we a bought cried !!!! Let's just say running with Ebbi is awesome !!!!! She pushed me and kept me going when I wanted to walk she would say let's just make it to that sign first, and she would tell me what our speed was, so when I was wanting to slow down it motivated me to keep going because I was amazed that we were still doing that great so far in ! She is so nice to everyone too, she was talking to all the other runners cheering them on finding out how many marathons they had one ! It was awesome I'm so shy I don't hardly ever talk to anyone I don't know but Ebbi was cheering on everyone !!! It was great !!
Around mile 20 or 21 I needed to slow down and Ebbi was feeling good so I told her to just go, I wasn't physically hurt I just needed to take it a little slower. While I was running alone I thought about my grandma, we were very close when I was growing up and I spent a lot of time with her. She died when I was13 so I new she was there watching me and she would have been proud !!! ( in fact when ever I'm running and it gets hard I try to think of her) she was diabetic and had to have both you legs amputated, she would have been happy to even be able to walk, and I can run !!! I'm lucky !!!
From there on I would try to run 1/2 mile walk a little ways then run to the next mile. It was so awesome to have people cheering you on along the coarse I seen the Kanab girls and Beckas family. With just about 1/2 mile left I heard people yelling my name and there was Becka, Lexie and Beckas son so I ran the rest of the way mostly with them. Right before we turned the corner for the final stretch we seen Jayci and that was motivating to see her cheering us on! After that I stopped and walked just a little ways cause I knew I had to run the whole finish line with all those people watching I could not walk then!! As I was running the finish line I heard Lexi cheering me on and it was awesome she was waving !!! Marianne was waiting just as I crossed I was so glad to see her it was nice to have everyone there cheering us on!
It was such an emotional experience I have always wanted to run a marathon and still can't believe I made it through all 26 of those miles!!! I just couldn't stop crying tears of happiness I was so proud of all of us. I was excited to find my family and hug my baby I have only left her over night one other time so I was ready to see her. I just held her and cried. I hope someday we can run a marathon together !!!! Because even when it was getting hard and I was soooo over it I just could say I'm never doing this again .......... Cause I already knew I wanted to run another one !!!! I just hope I'm lucky enough to do it with these amazing friends !!!!!
-Candi
-Candi
So glad i got to share this with you and get to know you! You did awesome!
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