Well, I DID IT!!!

Thank you so much for all your prayers-I could feel them, I really could. And believe me, we really needed it.


Friday’s plane ride down went really well. The ears didn’t seem to bother the kids. During our stay at Disney, Walter actually did better than Carrie. Walter had a fever the morning we left- Friday. However, after Motrin kicked in he was much better. Carrie had a rough time. She struggled with coughing and a fever every night and the night before the race and I think I got maybe 2 hours of sleep. (part of the was due to nerves.)


I woke up the morning of the race and was sick to my stomach. I did fine until mile 10 and then I started to hurt. My right knee and my left tendon started to hurt and the further I went along the more it hurt. I focused on knowing that people were lifting me up in prayer and that I had a circle of support.

I ran with Jeff’s long time friend, Mark and he was timing our miles. I realized at 13 miles (halfway) that I was running 11 minute miles or less and that I could finish in less than 5 hours (my original goal in training before the injuries started to hit.) I could not believe it, I felt like I was running slow with my pain! I know it was prayer that I could run through it!


I even passed the 5 hour finish “pace group”!

At mile 17 Mark stepped out and quit the run. He has suffered from running injuries and didn’t even know if he would start the race with me. (Glad he did!)



At 20 miles I started to get really sick to my stomach. Hindsight, it was probably dehydration. The sun beating on us at 84 degrees on blacktop pavement and no shade. Yeeow! I ran as fast as my sore legs could take me and refused to stop to use the bathroom. Every time I slowed to take a drink, it was difficult to force myself through the pain into my pace again- so I know stopping to use the bathroom would be tough to get back in the groove.



Mile 24-I had two miles to go and I didn’t know if I could make it. My legs hurt and I was cramping SO badly and HAD to use the bathroom! “Perseverance” I kept telling myself…I just HAD to finish in less than 5 hours. If I can just make it 2 more miles.



Half a mile left and I somehow reached down inside me and found more energy. All b/c of prayer, b/c I didn’t have anything left, I really didn’t it. I kicked it in gear and passed people left and right and finished strong. I was struggling for air and my head was pounding, I felt like I was going to faint.

As I could see the bleachers of spectators approaching I could hear this faint “MOOOVE” that sounded so much like my dad back when I ran cross country in high school…but my dad said they couldn’t come….I saw Jeff reach for his camera and then I crossed the finish line. I was given a medal around my neck. I looked up and saw Jeff and –my Dad! My mom was there as well, she was holding Carrie in the shade.

And I finished my 26.2 miles in 4 hours and 51 minutes. I am SO thankful for all your prayers. After the race my tendon in my left leg was in a lot of pain...I didn’t understand why it didn’t feel that bad while I was running. Had to be prayer. It swelled up so badly you couldn’t see my ankle bone anymore.

Your prayers helped me get through the race, I truly believe that. I went to the doctor today and apparently I was very close to rupturing my Achilles tendon- but thankfully it “just” pulled off of the bone. (whatever that means.) I had xrays done on my knee and tendon. I will have MRIs done on Saturday and then will find out how long I have to stay off my foot.

If I were to do it over again, I would still run this thing. It was so incredible. With all the drama included, I was able to finish in the top 25 % of 16 thousand people! It was so amazing!

And why the dedication to Brad, Dad and Mom?

Brad- because we ran together in high school. Because he did it in medical school and knowing he could do it gave me the motivation I needed to do it. Because he believed in me

Dad- because he would ride a moped over to where I was running on my own, training back in high school, because he ran probably more miles than I did across the cross country course cheering me on, because he is my biggest fan and inspiration, and because he can't run anymore

Mom- just because I love her and she always lifts me up when I am down