Marathon Weekend

Well it finally came, Marathon Weekend.  I can't believe that it has come and went.  7 years ago I ran the Top of Utah marathon and I swore I would never run again.  8 months ago running a mile was really taxing for me.  But today I did it.....I ran another marathon!  

Me and my girls (Stephanie McGuire and Melissa Mann) getting our racing bibs

Over the past 8 months I have run over 850 miles with these gals.  Love them to death.  Melissa actually moved to Texas a month ago, but we are SOOOO glad she flew back to finish the race we had started back in September.  We drove down to Nashville the night before the race and were able to have some great girl time.  We went to the expo, got lost trying to find a place to eat dinner (thanks to my excellent navigation skills we ended up in the airport parking lot instead of the Olive Garden), and had more laughs than I can even tell you.  Oh, ok. I'll tell ya one.  So we are at then expo and one of the booths is selling this new sports tape and they are taping for FREE.  Not wanting to pass up anything that was free we get in line (we all need to tape that night anyways).  So I dare Melissa to tell the young man that is taping everyone that her butt has been really hurting her and she needs it taped.  So of course she does and the guy turns bright red and basically tells her, "here's some tape, go online and learn how to do it yourself."  So we all have a good laugh and he goes on the tape her feet, the real problem area.  Well after talking with him a bit more, we find out that he is a BYU student (who just had to have come off his mission) !!!!!  We were dying.  What are the chances.  Way to go Mormon Mommas.  Way to pick your target.

 All ready to go.  The race started at 7, but we were prepared and at the starting area at 5.  Good thing too because check out the bathroom lines. 

 There were about 40 000 racers that morning.  It was amazing to be apart of such a large crowd. 

Behind us.  We couldn't even see the end.

In front of us

 Finally making it to the start line over 25 mins after the initially started

At about mile 16 I turned the corner and saw my own little cheering section.  Devan and Troy (Stephanie's husband) drove up Friday night and took the four kids camping.  It was so fun seeing them and meant the world to me to be able to share this moment with my boys.  

 "Go Mom, GO"

Mile 16 and feeling good.

 Race got a little tough after mile 23 (ok ok a LOT tough)

 Mile 26!!!!

 WOOT WOOT almost done.

 Melissa on the home stretch

 Stephanie's all smiles seeing the finish

It felt amazing finishing.  I'm not sure if it was from finally completing a long term goal or the pure joy from just being able to sit down.  It was every bit as hard as I remembered it to be, but this go around I actually want to do it again.  In fact I have two more 1/2 marathons planned within the next month.  I have officially got the running bug. 

 Jaxon was SOOOO excited to see me afterwards.  Devan had to boost him over the fence into the finishers area just to keep him from losing it.  Love that little bug

 Jax loved helping me eat some post race snacks.

None of us girls could have done what we did without our our wonderful support teams.  All three of us have been blessed to have VERY supportive husbands who were always willing to babysit other children, rub sore muscles, give opinions on which running outfits were the cutest, and on and on.  Couldn't have done it without them!

 Team Griner

McGuires

 Mann Family (minus the two youngest). 

Last month the Manns moved to Texas so Melissa was really bummed that she wouldn't have her family there to cheer her on.  Well unknown to her, Cory and the girls drove all night long and were waiting for her at mile 20.  I am SO glad she was able to share her big day with them.   

 

 Nashville

 

During the race Devan had quite the job keeping the boys entertained and cool.

The kids loved being able to go camping with their dad and their friends.  Devan set up a rope swing and it was the trip highlight

Jax didn't quite have enough upper body strength to hold on, but he LOVED it anyways.

 Allie having a great time.

 

I am really proud of how well I am recovering after the race.  Despite the fact that I lost 4 toe nails,  I ended up with only one small blister.  My legs are tired, but not sore.  The thing that hurts the most is my sunburn!  I have never been so SORE from a burn before.  Why or why did it not occur to me to put sunblock on!?!

AmAzINg Vaca part 3

Come Tuesday we packed up the kiddos and headed to Gatlinberg.  We stayed at a cute little resort type place that had a huge indoor water park.  Unfortunately as I went to take the very first picture of the day I neglected to notice the large tipping bucket of water above my head and.....lets just say, I gave Devan's brand new awesome camera a really good cleaning.  Soooo only phone water park pics for us.

Jamis was in heaven.

Jaxon, not surprisingly, buried his head in either mine or Devan's chest the ENTIRE time.

As long as he was COMPLETELY on mommies lap, he was fine.

While we were walking around the resort Jamis started yelling "car, car."  we were really confused and then he ran over to what he was talking about. 

For a boy with car vision, even campfire benchs look like cars

 This is a very common sight in our home these days.  For some reason Jaxon cannot stand Jamis hugging on him. 

 We took the boys on a little hike up to a waterfall.  Jamis walked the entire 2 mile round trip hike by himself.  This was truly the highlight of the vaca.  Jamis loved exploring everything.  Dirt, rocks, sticks, bugs, puddles....I love having my boys outside.  It took us the entire day, but it was a day very well spent.

On the way home came across a huge auto show.  All I heard was ewwws and awwws from my boys. 

What an amazing week for our little family.  This was the first time that we took a vacation that was just us.  It was so great having so much time alone with my three boys.  Love those guys and the little family that we have.

Easter

Easter is a great time of year.  I loved that Jamis is finally getting old enough to retain scripture stories.  Hearing him talk about resurrection and that Jesus came back to life after three days because he was three, just melted my heart.  I hope my children never forget the true meaning behind holidays.  I hope I can always keep my home Christ centered home.

Jamis was excited to see what was in him Easter basket.

"Thanks for the basket of stripes of paper guys"

"Ohhh, wait a second, what is this"

 "I hear something in it"

 "WOW candy"

 "You are actually GIVING me candy.  Can I eat it"

"This is the best day of my life.  I actually have permission to eat candy"

Jamis dug right in

Love the new goggles buddy.

AmaZInG VaCa Part 2

Saturday things just kept on being wonderful.  I woke up early and ran 22 miles with my girlfriend.  The run went beautifully.  Perfect weather, no aches and pains, fabulous time, perfect confidence booster for the marathon. 

As soon as I got home we headed downtown to the Aquarium.  The boys loved it.  I love watching them discover new things.  Jamis loved seeing the penguins and the sharks.  Jaxon loved the pure freedom to walk around in a public place.

 Outside the aquarium is little boys dream.  They both climbed and ran all over the place.

AmAZing Vaca Part 1

This years family vacation was the best I think we've ever had.  The festivities actually started before Devan actually even was off work.  Our great friends from Wilmington, the Arnes, drove down and spent the week with us.  I'm kicking myself now that I didn't take any pics with them.  We had a blast though showing them around Chattanooga and just laughing together.  Miss those guys so much and hate being so far from them.

So our actual vacation started Friday evening when Devan got off work.  The YMCA down the street from us was having an Easter egg hunt that night.  Jamis was so excited to go.  He wanted to do everything.  His favorite part though was the face painting.  This was his first time to get his face painted.  Devan met us there and then we rushed home, got the babysitter, and went on the most amazing date EVER!!!

We had heard that one amazing singer was coming to Chattanooga and having a concert, but despite many attempts, I was unable to get tickets.  Well.....Friday at about 3pm I found some.  Not just any tickets though.  Row 3 tickets!!!!! 

See that woman in the middle there.  That my friend is the one and only ALISON KRAUSS!!!!!  I had died and gone to heaven for sure.  She preformed with Union Station and it was pure perfection.  Ohhhh, I'm still pinching myself.

Yes we were both a little excited.

Perfect start to the perfect week.