19 miles. Great day of running. I ran on some of the TOU course pacing Lysa for her first marathon. She totally rocked it. I got to say that I find plenty of inspiration here on FRB, but being with Lysa today for the final 10 miles of her marathon was perhaps the most inspiring running experience I've had to date. Being with her recalled memories from my first marathon and so I knew what she was going through. She was so tough and endured and finished in style! Congratulations Lysa! Your fitness/training really payed off in that rather than fading and crumbling towards the end you just kept moving. According to my garmin, the final two miles were the fastest of the last ten miles you covered. Impressive. Thanks for allowing me to share it with you. 

So I left my house this morning around 7 and headed North on I-15. Somehow I had missed the Brigham city exit which would have taken me through Sardine canyon and on to Logan. When I realized my mistake I was just coming up on an exit for riverside and Logan. I didn't know where I was but was so happy to see the word Logan on a sign. I took the exit and was relieved to see that it was only 18 miles to Logan from there. On the way, I saw a sign that said Wellsville. So I took that road because I wanted end up on the South end of Logan so as to avoid traffic and crowds. It was a good choice as I drove through some beautiful rural small towns while the sun was rising and with a live Greg Brown CD playing. Perfect. Anyway, I got back on I-89 and turned onto the street that I knew would lead me to the Walmart where I would park my car. This placed me about a half mile from the 21 mile marker (Springcreek) on the course, and provided a quick escape at the end of the day when I got back to my car to head home. So, I strapped on my camelback and headed out. I had just missed the leaders by about 15 - 20 minutes I'm guessing but I did see Sasha come through mile 21 as I headed up the course going the opposite way. My goal was to find Lysa around mile 17 just as the runners turn onto hwy 165 heading North. I've never run a race course in the opposite direction during the race and it was a cool perspective. At first I encountered lone elite runners as they approached the final 5 miles of their marathon. I saw Allie Scott and knew she was the first woman in the race. She looked very smooth and strong. I gave her a shout out "Allie Scott...it's JD! Go! Allie go!" As I ran the opposite direction of the runners I was very careful to stay well out of their way, often running on the sidewalk and dodging spectators rather than  taking up course space. Eventually the runners starting coming toward me in larger and larger groups until it was a steady stream of  runners. I stopped at aid station 17 and chatted with some volunteers for about 5 minutes. Realizing I was a little early, I continued up the course to find Lysa. Leaving the aid station is where Stacie (on the blog) shouted out my name as she was running by. I never would have recognized her, but I recognize her amazing ability to pick a face of someone she'd never met before out of a crowd of people. Found Lysa around mile 16-ish? She was with her sister in law and had stopped to stretch. So far I was having a great morning, perfect weather, beautiful Cache valley, and running! And still,  my day just got better and better. Lysa's brother Cameron joined us shortly after this and stuck with us, running all the way to the finish. What a tough guy, it must run in the family! I haven't really spent any time with Cam in years so it was nice "hanging out" with him today. Lysa'a family: her husband, children, parents would pop up throughout the course and it was a great way to spend a run having all this loving supportive family around. Lysa is truly blessed. So the miles passed, Lysa stayed strong in spite of not having the kind of day we all wish we could have on race day, but which rarely happens, and in spite of her calves seizing up on her with 7 or 8 miles still to go. I broke off from her about 100 yards before the finish and headed for the park. I was thrilled to hear the announcer say her name over the PA as she crossed the finish line! After wards we all just hung out for awhile and soaking in the experience. I finally met Kelli (on the blog). I have really looked up to Kelli over the last couple of years reading about her tenacious and amazing training and watching her knock down PR after PR as time goes by. She's a real class act and a great example. We stayed to see Allie get her Award and thought it was funny that they just hand the winners a big wad of cash right there on the spot. I guess that's preferable to waiting for a check in the mail! I congratulated Allie on her incredible performance, and then ran back to my car. I took the short route and ended up with 19 miles for the day.

With all the crud that goes on in the world, I can't help but feel extreme gratitude for my life experience and the place running has in my life. If anyone ever catches me complaining, about anything, be sure and kick my butt and send me on down the river!

WET 60.9 miles

#19