Running with 10,999 other people was an interesting contrast to my long runs leading up to this experience. From “Watch out for that puddle” to the jokes about this being more like a triathlon, I’ve never felt closer to so many people! Sure it was fun to pass people, but when I saw the steam coming up off every body in front of me to form a cloud over us, this experience will forever be a part of me. The overwhelming tears after crossing the finish line were followed be the realization that I just achieved a new PR. I wanted to do it, I could do it, I had to do it, I was going to do it no matter what… Now I am content to spend more time focusing on my family life and whatever lay ahead.

bib number F3846 age 39 gender F location Minnetonka, MN overall place 5339 out of 7966 division place 331 out of 521 gender place 1810 out of 3190 time 4:41:05 pace 10:23 chip time 4:31:54 5k 31:20 10k 1:02:11 half 2:10:55 30k 3:14:35 20 mile 3:28:34

Cynthia ran the Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday. I was a bit worried in the morning when it was raining rather hard. Once it slowed to a drizzle, I took the kids and tried to track her down on the course.

We made it to Mile 15 in time, but unfortunately missed her After waiting a while there we started to head to the van to move down the course a bit. When we got to the van to leave, I noticed a voicemail… it was her saying she was just passing the 15 mile marker

We moved on to a point between mile 22 and 23. Was not long of a wait before she came by. She was looking better than I had feared given the inclement weather. We tried not to hold her too long and let her keep going.

Traffic was completely miserable trying to get to the capital. Cynthia actually beat us there. It was probably better that way though since it gave her time to cool down and grab a massage.