My First Marathon-Top of Utah in Logan

Starting last spring my friend Jenny Martin asked me if wanted to do a marathon with her. At first I said no because it really never entered my mind as something that I would want to do. But then I thought about it more and then talked to another friend, Lisa Adams, and then next thing I knew the three of us started to train for it. We originally tried to get into the St. George, Utah marathon but we didn't get in. Then we decided to do the Top of Utah Marathon in Logan. We trained spring and summer and finally ran the race yesterday, September 20, 2008. It was a beautiful setting and great weather and I had a great experience. I am grateful that I decided to do it. I wouldn't have done it without my training buddies to help me along the way. My time was 5:13. I think I would like to beat that time if I do it again- maybe the St. George next year. It was nice to have Haley, Jacob and Meg there along with Jenny's family and Paul Adams to support us along the road. They yelled and screamed words of encouragement. They were there at the bottom of the canyon and at four or five stops and then finally at the finish line. It helped me a lot. For the most part I felt good and I never hit "the wall". But at about mile 19 I started to feel tired and I wondered if I would be able to finish the race. I thought of Sister Elaine Dalton, the Young Women General President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She gave a talk about how she ran the Boston Marathon and wore a shirt that said "Utah" on it. Somewhere in the race she hit the wall and did not feel she could go on. She heard so many spectators say, "Go Utah" or "It's okay Utah" or "Don't cry Utah". Then she said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father for help. In answer to her prayer, the words of a hymn came to her mind and helped her to go on. They were, "Fear not, I am with thee; Oh ,be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I'll strengthen thee, Help thee and Cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand." I thought of that talk before and during the race but I could never remember the words of that song. But then when I struggled at mile 19, I said a silent prayer and then all of a sudden the words of the song came to me in my mind and I began to cry because I felt that Heavenly Father was with me and would help me finish the race. When I got close to the finish line Haley, Jacob and Meg ran in with me. After we got accross, I started to cry. I had this feeling of joy after having accomplished so much. I am grateful for that experience. It has taught me a lot.