MARATHON!!!!!!!!

So the conventional wisdom is that it never rains on the day of the marathon. Oh, unless, Gail decides to run it. Then it will rain the entire time and be so cold that you can't close your hands over the water cup. But, despite the rain and wind and cold, I completed my first marathon in 5:24:06. Which for those uninitiated out there is pretty incredible for someone like me. Here is me and Amy B with our medals. I appreciate so much having Amy and Kristie and Cathy to run with. I NEVER would have done this without them. Amy, thanks for sticking with me. You are so amazing to have run through so much pain. You totally kept me going when I felt like this was getting "not fun". Your enthusiasm and energy is compelling and catching.

Today, now that I'm able to walk in a fashion that doesn't resemble a penguin, I'm thinking I might do it again. But what I've gained is more than a marathon under my belt. I AM A RUNNER> AND I KNOW I CAN DO ANYTHING I SET MY MIND TO. I know that I couldn't have done it without Heavenly Father helping me. He led me to friends that would spur me on and he gave me strength and stamina that I didn't have. More than once along the course I prayed that he would help me to reach this goal, that I had prepared the best I knew how and was putting the rest in his hands. The crazy thing is, the last 9 miles seemed like less than 2 or three. I know that was the Lord answering my prayers.

I have to take a minute, too, to thank Amy and Robert who went out the night before and placed about 10 signs along the road like<"Gail for President", "Go, Gail, Go, XOXOXO,""My mom is faster than your dad," and "Gail is our champion." These signs meant the world to me as has Robert's support and encouragement. Thanks, also to Malea for the signs and Ron M. for the advice on post-race ice baths. Let's do this again in '09. Anybody up for it?