"If we don't suffer enough we won't remember it."

Nothing.  Woke up feeling like my head cold is coming back.  I can't believe it.

10 miles.  Went back to the Dr. for the third time.  She told me to take Ibuprofin.  The antibiotic should have gotten the infection, so could be a virus or my body still fighting off whatever it is making me sick.  I've had a headache everyday and now the body aches.  I can't believe how bad I feel and that this has gone on for two whole weeks!  Only three more days to get better.  I'm going to sleep as much as I can and not run again until the race. 

I had to buy a new cell phone today.  I stuck my phone in my bra while I ran on Tuesday (in case one of the kids called me from school) and sweat it out.  When I took it appart it was totally wet inside.  This is the phone that survived a cycle in the washing maching two years ago.  I must sweat more than a washing machine! 

I ran the Top of Utah Marathon today. I was hoping to break 3 hours but didn't quite do it.  My previous PR was 3:03:42 on that course last year and I haven't done a marathon since.  Last year 3:03 got me 2nd place and this year 3:01 got me nothing.  When I registered for the race after taking 4 months (Dec-Mar) off for an injury I thought it would be a miracle if I ran as fast as last year. 

For having a PR I think I should have enjoyed it more though.  I spent most of the race discouraged and worried.  I feel like I'm still getting over my head cold.  My hamstring and Achilles started huring me around mile 13.  I was afraid I might have a real problem.  That hurt for several miles then my Quads hurt.  I've had trouble with my quads for over a month now.  I didn't do as many long runs in preparation this time and the few I did really wipped me out.  I was worried I would totally fall to pieces the last 6 miles.  Fortunately my body held together, but I didn't feel confident of that until about the last 3 miles. 

My splits were: 6:31, 6:35, 6:41, 6:51, 6:51, 6:45, 6:52, 6:35, 6:47, 6:44, 6:42, 6:32, 6:35, 6:28, 6:41, 6:49, 6:47, 6:52, 6:53, 7:33 (walk @ water stop and stretch), 6:56, 7:19, 7:42 (another walk @ water stop and quick stretch), 7:35, 7:19, 7:16, last .39 @ 7:06 pace

I really sturggled miles 19 through 22, decided I would never do another marathon etc..  I thought I was coming up on mile 22 when I saw the 23rd mile marker.  That was encouraging.  When I stretched at the water stops I thought I was already in 6th place and couldn't see anyone in front of me.  I felt discouraged about 6th place, but kept reminding myself I was on track for a PR.  Later I learned one of the ladies ahead of me jumped in to run with someone and wasn't registered.  When I passed her in mile 23 she told me she wasn't registered and that I was in 5th.  But that didn't last long because Mary Ann ran by me looking really strong at about mile 24 1/2 and I just didn't have it in me to stay with her. 

I was happy with my time and how good I felt the last 2 miles, especailly after how poorly I felt a few miles earlier.  I swore off marathons at mile 20, but I still want to break 3 hours, so I guess I'll do another one.