As this marathon approaches every year I always wonder why I sign up for it. I don't necessarily like running on the road but yet I still sign up. Then I always remember why this race is close to my heart. The Ogden Marathon was my first race ever, besides high school track. Nine years ago a friend of mine now but back then my gym instructor asked during class if anyone wanted to help fill a spot on her marathon relay team. Of course I volunteered because it sounded challenging! I needed to run 7 miles as my portion and I don't think I had ever ran more than 4 miles and this seemed to be like a good challenge. This first experience is what got me hooked! The race vibe and doing something new and different was fun. Little did I know then that it would become addicting and I would be out there again in the middle of May, freezing cold, at the start line about to start my 6th running of the Full Marathon.
This year was different I hadn't been training on the road for the continuous pounding. I went out not knowing what would happen. The run went good. I felt strong but my stomach kept having issues. Running faster at a maintained speed was doing it in. I would stop when I needed, which ended up being 4 times, but by the time I hit mile 16 I was feeling great. My endurance training kicked in and I pounded out the last 10 quick. It rained the whole time and it was cold but all my training runs in the bad weather in the mountains had me prepared and the rain didn't bother me. Finishing this race was all I wanted to do and I did it. It was a good time with good friends close by. The Ogden marathon is a fun course and well organized. I am sure I will be back!
