The Ogden Marathon

May 17, 2008

We got up around 4:00 am and drove to Ogden where we then loaded onto buses that took us up to the start line in the Ogden Canyon. We arrived there about 5:30am and the race didn’t start until 7:00. Luckily, as it was freezing outside, they had bonfires going.

My dad and I ran together and we decided to use Jeff Galloway’s (from "Runner's World" magazine) advice about adding a 1 minute walk about every 4 minutes. It was suppose to help you have more energy at the end but I don’t know that that really happened. The gun went off and we tried so hard not to go out too fast. We decided to just run the first mile without walking just so we wouldn’t get trampled by the other people! My dad and I were feeling good by the half way point, but the sun was up and it was HOT, and it kept getting hotter and hotter. (It ended up being the hottest day that month) About mile 16 we had slowed quite a bit and my hips were hurting soooo bad (something I had been dealing with in training). From then on out I had to stop about every mile to stretch them.

At about mile 18 there was an aid station that had gummy bears and licorice (my favorite). I was so excited I grabbed a bunch and began munching on them. I soon found that I was pretty nauseous and decided maybe that wasn’t such a good idea. About mile 22, with just 4 miles to go I looked at my dad and almost started crying. I was hurting pretty bad and didn’t know how I was going to finish. I told him I needed to sit down so I found a rock on the side of the road and sat down. I felt really stupid sitting there watching everyone pass me. Soon an ambulance came by and I almost jumped on for a ride! I finally got the motivation somewhere deep, deep down to keep going. At the aid stations we were drinking one glass of water and dumping another on our faces. That was the longest four miles.

Finally, we turned onto the last street and about a mile down was the finish line. That was the best thing ever, yet it took me forever to get there. Right before the finish line my friend Jenni called from the side lines “GO Kari. I’m so proud of you” and I almost started crying then and there! I knew my family was cheering for me too and then I saw Jared (who had finished over an hour before me) and we slapped hands as I crossed the finish line at 4 hours and 42 minutes. I was deliriously happy! People were handing out ice and jamba juice and all sorts of things but all I could think about was laying down. Jared came around and wanted me to go get something to eat but the first patch of grass I came to I crashed.
We all swore we would never do another marathon, but now it doesn’t seem so unreachable. One day I hope to run another one although it probably won’t be anytime soon. Maybe next year? Jared is going to sign up for The Top of Utah Marathon in Logan this fall and will be running with more family and friends.
This was a great experience and I have never pushed myself so hard. It made me realize I’m tougher than I thought!

Left: Ronnie (brother-in-law), Dad, Me, Jared