Monday, May 21, 2007

We did it!!!

Well, it's official folks. I along with 3 of my sisters and my dad, am an official "marathoner"! On Saturday may 19th, we all ran and FINISHED the Zion's Bank Ogden Marathon.

So we met the buses at 5am on saturday morning and took the nice long drive up the canyon. It actually was not nearly as long as I thought it would be. I have heard that the drive up can be quite daunting, but it really wasn't for me. We got up there and huddled around fires, and waited in lines at the porta-johns, along with about 2500 other runners. The gun went off promptly at 7am, although it took us a few minutes to cross the starting line as we were towards the back of the pack. It is all very exciting, there are so many people, all shapes and sizes. It is also quite interesting to see everyone's stradegies. We saw lots of walk/runners. They would run for like 5 minutes and walk for 2 or something like that. But they were keeping up. I think actually, the two ladies I saw doing that finished before us. We also got a nice treat around mile 3. I guess some girl just couldn't wait another second to go to the bathroom, so she just popped a squat right there on the side of the road (there were porta-johns like every mile or so). It was awesome!

Ok, so on to the actual run...it was great! It really was. I really enjoyed myself, and kept thinking how great this was, and just loved all the support we got from onlookers. We even had a hill after mile 13 that was no problemo. Then we got to about mile 22, and all that went away...I hated the marathon, and couldn't think why on earth I was putting myself through this torture. But I had gone this far, I might as well go another 4 miles. Mile 23...I am going to die, I am going to barf, I don't want to do this anymore, just keep going. Mile 24...why on earth did the city Marathon have to be 26.2 miles away from Athens (see Origins of Marathon), just keep going, you can't stop running until you hit the mile 25 marker, you can do it, no I can't, yes you can, no I can't...ok, I'm there! Mile 25, 1 more mile to go. Dad's telling me this is all mental...ppsshh, what is he smokin'? Get a drink, take a walking break to get geared up for the final stretch...put off running as long as possible...start running. We turn the corner onto the final stretch...we can see the finish line, and OH MY GOSH, it is SO FAR AWAY. I can't do this, I want to stop, just keep going, speed up so we actually look like runners, my lungs are going to burst...oh my gosh, there's Asher and Nate, and Ashley and Whit and Ben...we are going to make it...smile, look like this is no problem! We did it, we're there...it's over...THANK GOODNESS!! We didn't do it as fast as we would have liked, but we did it. I just looked at the final results and my official time was 5 hours and 5 minutes and 29 seconds. Here is a video of us coming into the finish. Sorry, it is very bouncy, Ashley started running with us and in doing so, had a hard time keeping the camera steady. If you listen closely, you can hear the announcer saying our names as we cross the finish line. He realized after saying a few Busaths that it was "Team Busath...the yellow girls".

So needless to say, this was by far the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. WAY harder than having a baby (although I realize that that is not really saying much in my case). When I finished, I didn't think that I would ever run a marathon again. But just like having a baby, I was very quick to forget all the pain and suffering that I went through, and by the next day, I was already thinking, yeah, I think I could do that again. I guess we will see!





I would also like to thank Nate for all the love and support that he has given me throughout the past 4 months. (Sorry to get all cheesy on everyone) When I decided to do this, neither of us had any idea what we were signing him up for too. Hours and hours of babysitting when he had tons of things to do. Every saturday was basically shot. But I want you to know Nate that I could never have done it without you. I love you. Thanks for all you have done for me...especially the many cafe rio salads that you got for me after my long runs! :)


To the fam...Jill, Hailey, dad, it was so fun experiencing this with you. Whit, I could have NEVER done this without you. I was not a runner, but you made me believe in myself and pushed me to be better every week. I love you guys...GO TEAM BUSATH...THE YELLOW GIRLS!!

Asher was such a good boy. Ashley said he didn't cry once all day. I think he just loved being outside. What a cutie!

visit zazoosh.com and look up my number 2012 for more pics.

20 comments:

Alexandra and Benjamin said...

Not to be cheesy, but that was seriously inspirational. I'm impressed- you're amamzing. It made ME even want to run a marathon. (Scary thought.) It is amazing that you could do it together with your family. You look gorgeous in the pictures!

Lisa Busath said...

This was one of my proudest moments as a mom, to see my beautiful daughters and husband accomplish such a task. It was so inspiring! I could not quit crying -- even with the other runners before our family even got there! Maybe we will become a marathon family -- who knows? Way to go fam!

Glamazon said...

I love the fact that the announcer still managed to butcher the Busath name. Ashley's naration was awesome as you crossed the finish. Morg, you averaged an eleven minute, thirty second mile. I am so proud of you guys. You all look fabulous. I wish Lindsay and I could have been there with you!

Trent & Emily Davies said...

Thats awesome!!! I am so proud of you. I can't imagine running a mile and I am sure you feel like you can accomplish anything now!

Way to go Wonder Woman!!

mj said...

morg, i really am almost crying right now. you make me think that i can really do this too! can i do this???? i've done a half before and feel like i can train much better this time around. leah will be 3 mos. tomorrow and i'm getting back into the swing of things and you're giving me hope!!!

mj said...

okay, so i'm not almost crying...i'm crying. way to go team busath!!

Uffens Family said...

Morgan, You my friend are a real woman! Holy cow, Annie is 8 months and I have not gotten back into that kind of shape! You are amazing! Congrats.

janaya said...

yeah! congrats! glad i got to be there to see you all cross the finish line together. i have to admit... i got a little misty. :)

IronLawGirl said...

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!! Congratulations, you girls are so awesome! I'm so proud of you!

Jackie said...

Wow--that gave me goosebumps!! I'm so proud of you all. What an accomplishment!!!

I may have teared up too. I don't want to talk about it.

Hannah said...

I think anyone who can run more than 5 miles is incredible, but 26?!? Thats amazing. I seriously would NEVER be able to do it! Good job!!

Oh..and can I just tell you how wonderful your husband is?!!? He is such a great home teacher! He mowed our lawn yesterday! We owe you guys big time!!

Lark said...

Way to go! I have been thinking about you guys - so impressed - could never do it myself, but glad somebody runs these things.

Jessica said...

I am so proud of you. I don't know how you could run that much. You are awesome and how fun to have so much support. If I ever ran a long race, who better than to have running with me but my family. That says a lot about you guys.

Scott and Katie said...

congrats morgan... I got all teary eyed reading the story! What an inspiration! You girls are amazing. Good for you!!

Anonymous said...

Nice work WOMAN!! I am so glad that you were the one doing the whole thing. By the time I finished the only thought in my mind was if I had chosen to do the whole thing I would have to go another 13 miles. Way to go!! Maybe someday I can be as cool as you if I can figure out what was wrong with my knee. I loved the little movie though you guys are awesome!!!!

The Lambs said...

WOW! way to go ya'll! i'm training for a 10K next weekend and I am amazed at how much it takes out of me to run and breastfeed, so props to you for setting a goal and finishing!!!

Morgan said...

thanks everyone...you are all so sweet! Trust me, if I can do this, anyone can.

Abby~ I know what you mean about the breastfeeding. I hardly lost any weight in training cause I had to eat so much to keep up my milk supply, until it went at about 9 months. But keep it up!!

Summer Adams said...

WOW!!!!!!!!!! Go Team Busath!!!!!! I'm so stinkin' impressed with y'all!!! I could never do that in a million years. Lisa, I bet you were proud. How neat :)

The Wright Family said...

How awesome!! We're so PROUD of you!! Quite a opportunity and with your family ... that's Awesome!

whitney said...

aw, thanks morg! i'm so impressed with you and your ability to just jump into training without tons of experience and run a marathon. you're awesome. i'm glad i had such an amazing training buddy. :)