84th Mt. Marathon Race!

On the 4th, I was extremely privileged to take part in the 84th running of the Mt. Marathon Race right in my own little town.  This race is legendary and our town of 3,500 grows to about 30,000 every 4th of July because of it.  I had to enter a lottery to get in and frustrated many who've been trying for years by getting in my first try!

So, for this race, we start downtown (one block kitty-corner from my house) and run up to the mountain behind my house, then proceed to race straight up the mountain, back down again and back through town.  The distance is only a 5k (3.1 miles), but the elevation gain is 3,022 feet at an average grade of 38 degrees!  It's intense!

And I am just so grateful that I was able to do it at all.  About 2 days after I found out I was in I started having some knee problems.  But after some care from a physical therapist, I was ready by race day, so thank you Heavenly Father.

Here's some pics:

Headed up the hill toward the mountain.  Can you see me?  Hint: my hair is flying everywhere

And here I am headed down.  It's really fun to watch because everyone stands at the bottom of what you see here and waits for people to appear from the right after sliding down a 20 ft. cliff. 

I'd like to pretend I'm that really fit girl in the sports bra, but really that's me who's about to fall on top of an older lady, lol. 

PAIN

And to explain my funky tape all over the place:

On my knees to support them

On my ankles to keep rocks out

In action!  My arms were flying to catch me during my stumbly descent.  Don't tell my mom, but I was on the verge of losing control almost the entire way.

Now I'm approaching the finish line and apparently taking a little nap.  Lol, I didn't even see my parents, who came up to Alaska early to see me run this thing, because I was closing my eyes to get through it all.

And I finished!  I did it all in 1:23:53.  I don't know how that's possible because when I practiced it took me 2 hours to do just the mountain.  Needless to say, I was completely spent and glad to be alive. 

They show you this mandatory safety video the night before, if you're a rookie, all about falling rocks and people falling down the mountain and getting disoriented and dehydrated, so I was happy that I made it unharmed!

This picture says it all

114th place (out of 300-something), YEAH!