Nebo Marathon

Today, I was able to participate in another marathon. This was the fourth one this year since doing St George last September. Last September in the St George marathon, I was able to qualify for the Boston Marathon running that one in 3 hours and 10 minutes. I decided to do a few other marathons this year to try and improve my time. However, my times did not get much better. In fact I got worse. In February, I did the Sun Marathon running that one in 3 hours and 20 minutes. After that, I did the Salt Lake marathon and did that one in 3 hours 30 minutes. A few weeks ago, I ran the Deseret News Marathon and finished in 3 hours 40 minutes. So, I was feeling a little discouraged with my performance. I decided to go ahead and do the Nebo Marathon at the last minute before doing the St. George marathon next month. I was finally able to have a better day. I ran this one in 3 hours and 13 minutes placing 12th overall and first for my age group. So, I was a little bit happier and able to qualify again for Boston. When doing the previous 3 marathons, I had a neck injury for the Sun Marathon which I injured doing gymnastics with Ethan and Chani trying to do a backflip on the trampoline. I had the flu for the Salt Lake marathon. The Deseret News, my legs just gave out on me. But, this time I enforced in my mind that a lot of it really is mental and that you just have to be tough mentally to put things behind you and that you really can get through it. I kept telling myself to just enjoy the moment, don't worry about the time and and to just keep going no matter how tired my body would get.  I gave it all I had.  I tell myself I could have tweeked a few things to get a better time. But, I ran this marathon as per my plan, and I am happy with that. I just thank my God who allows me to have the health and ability to do these types of events.  I think of my brothers Darin (arthritis) and Dale (feet issues...high arch) who can't run and David who has weight issues.  I love them and they have their own struggles. I'm just grateful I can run.  It's my stress release