18 seconds

Go ahead, count to 18. It's not very long is it? Less than the time to brush your teeth, make a piece of toast, walk to the mailbox...the list could go on and on. It's also the time I missed my Boston Marathon qualification by yesterday! I ran my best ever marathon, beating my last PR by 11 minutes, but missing my goal by so close has finally hit me this morning and I admit I'm a bit disappointed. Ok a lot disappointed!!

It was a beautiful day. Ogden Canyon is gorgeous in the spring with the green, horse filled fields, the snow topped mountains in the background, bright blue sky and sun shining. The first half of the race I kept well under my pace goal. It was great - feeling good. Then we ran around Pineview Reservoir - still beautiful but more uphill so you have to dig in and keep yourself focused. By the time I got over the last hill, my legs were starting to burn. It's an interesting feeling when you can't keep pushing as much. You tell your body to push, but by golly those legs won't do it.

My last 6 miles I knew if I kept under a 9 minute mile I could still do this thing!! But I knew it would be stinking close and was mad at myself for letting it be that close. Mile 25 was my downfall. Once you're out of the canyon and in the heat trying to muster everything left, there's not much left in the tank!!! 9:22 - ugh!! I managed to finish as strong as I could. My parents and Phil and the boys were there to cheer me on - it means so much at that point to see their little faces.

I crossed the finish line and just had to wait to see what the official time was. A marathon is 26.2 miles. My watch said I did 26.37 miles in 3:41:36. I had to get 3:40:59 to qualify for Boston. I was praying that somehow I was off .17 miles and would slide under. Official time 3:41:17! Pace: 8:26/mile. Still a great time and I'm so happy with the progress I've made!!! But 18 seconds? Give me a break. So this time as my body recovers, my heart will have to too!!