Color Run Fun

Nothing better to get back in training mode than to do a fun run after a not so great marathon.

On your mark, get set, run with the unicorn!

A little color fun!

Lots of fun.  But if you ever run this race...know it is not a easy as they say to get the color off of you.

Jacksonville Bank Marathon Finish

I've been dreading this post for so long; mostly embarrassed by the time it took me to finish the marathon.  Until recently, I decided I just wouldn't speak of this race; and I knew that with time everyone else would forget too.  But then I realized...I FINISHED a marathon.  That is pretty great in itself.

Here is a look at the day through pictures.

The morning of the race, Josh was in full Christmas spirit and I struggled to keep that smile covering up all the nerves and crazy thoughts going through my mind.

Running through the start line help alleviate most of my nerves and we began our journey.

 Still smiles as we cross the 5K mark.

The sun began to come up and the crowd began to thin.
















At the half marathon point, we were doing great.  Holding steady with the pace we wanted, still moving along and still in high spirits.  I thought I had this in the bag. But as we got closer to the 17 mile mark, my foot started to ache and I slowed a bit...okay a lot more than a bit, I felt like I was walking on a broken foot. And with every step, I got closer and closer to quitting.  In fact I encouraged Josh to run his race, he was still killing it. Josh took off and we agreed to meet at the 18 mile point.  Right before that mark, I sat down with a few cops patrolling the race and said, "I quit."  I even asked them to arrange me transportation to the finish, where I could wait for Josh to finish.  But I could see him waiting ahead and decided I better tell him the bad news before he waited any longer on me.  As I caught up to him, I knew he could tell I was hurting but he wouldn't let me quit.  We argued how close/far the finish line was.  He argument...only 8 to go, we've already done 18.  My argument, it was EIGHT more miles.  But then as all the volunteers at the water stop were cheering for us and encouraging me to continue...I decided to suck it up and keep going.  I mean I couldn't let Josh become a marathoner and not do it myself.  He was gracious enough to stay with me for those last 8 miles as I struggled to even get a mild jog going.

 As we rounded the corner and came into the stadium, you could see the pain in my face as I mustered up a slow jog to the finish.

Not sure if this is a fake smile or a smile of relief that the finish line was in sight.

 AND FINISHED! That was brutal.

Josh finished just before me, so that on record it shows he won.  He definitely could have finished a good 15-30 minutes faster if he didn't walk with me those last 8 miles.  (He also won the "Best Husband of 2012" award that day.)

Barely smiling. I was saying "never again" at this very moment...but I change my mind a lot. :)

Proof that we finished.

Swenson 2nd Annual Super Run World Cup

Swenson 2nd Annual Super Run World Cup

Of course we are missing a few, but it is always nice when a holiday allows for some family time.  Last year, we decided to kick off the Swenson Annual Super Run World Cup and this year, things were even more intense and exciting. 

The grand prize cup was again up for the taking but the rules had changed.  Each year the previous year's winner gets to come up with the rules.  Dad was the winner last year and determined that the winner would be based on most improved from this year to last year; so it was really anyone's race.

Dad preparing to carry the trophy.  (Another rule.  Winner must carry the trophy and a 6 pack of beer for the entirety of the race.)

Couldn't find an official 10K course in the Orlando, so we improvised a bit.  I ran the course many times to ensure that it would could qualify as USA Track & Field approved race (and it so was!).  Got up early and marked the clearly marked the trail.  Gathered the masses, explained the rules and the route, set up the mid-point beverage and nutrition stop (after having the table stolen, we had to improvise a bit), and got everyone to the start line.

Lastly, got the official time keeper is in place.  (We take the race very serious.)

And the race is off!  

The race consisted of two loops that had several passing points. The route went along a common dog walking area, so we got lots of looks, strange comments, and some cheers along the way.  And even a lady encouraging us to lose so we wouldn't have to carry the cup.  I actually think the dog walkers were having as much fun as we were.

THE RESULTS

5th Place

4th Place

3rd Place

2nd Place

Best Time Keeper Award

And 1st Place Goes To...

A drink from the winner's cup.