This marathon I DID run

I was a part of history. Apparently, it has rained twice during St. George Marathon's 32-year run, and it was bucket loads last Saturday. Not just a misty drizzle, or even the occasional cloud burst. No. It rained the WHOLE time. I was hoping it would be overcast, maybe even sprinkle a little, and I guess all 5,030 runners prayed for the same thing. Is it possible to over-pray? Audrey (my sister) and I tried to keep as dry as possible during the hour wait for the race to start by huddling under our clothing drop bags, and we managed to scrounge up a few garbage sacks just before the race began. I will never scoff at garbage bag wearers again! Note to the uninitiated: people take a garbage bag, punch holes for arms and head, and wear it while waiting and during the first few cold miles, then toss it at an aid station. It is not very attractive, and we've always kind of mocked the swish-swishers, but no more! I proudly wore my Hefty bag for 6 miles! Audrey and I decided by mile 3 that today was not the day to run a Boston qualifying race, and decided just to finish with smiles on (although I was secretly hoping to finish under 4 hours). Well, we ran a steady race, and despite the discouraging conditions (there was a soul sucking headwind too, did I mention that?) we survived and smiled at the finish. I got a Personal Record too by finishing at 3:54:34. It was very satisfying to conquer the weather, my mental and physical fatigue, the annoyance of squishing shoes and oddly placed blisters and a very long and not-as-downhill-as-they-claim race course. Would I do it again, knowing the misery in store? Absolutely - as long as Audrey ran with me. I'd run in a lot worse to be able to run with my sister!

It was so great to see Mike and the kids at mile 24 - just when I needed to see some loving faces. I must have looked so stunning that Mike forgot to take a picture (ha) but I think I can post a link to Marathonfoto. There were so many photographers along the race course that Audrey and I ran out of clever things to do after the, well, first one. Try this: http://www.marathonfoto.com/index.cfm?RaceOID=13112008M1&LastName=HOUSLEY&BibNumber=4762&Mailing=17678