P.F. Changs Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon

At the starting line...Marianne stretches while I stare off into space and wonder what the hell I was thinking signing up for another one of these things!?

seconds from the finish line...scanning the crowds, looking for Shari, Kelcie and Madden!

One week ago I crossed the finish line of my second marathon.

And I must say, I enjoyed this marathon even more than my first!

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing quite like the first; that sense of accomplishment and that high of knowing you just accomplished something you never thought you could do.

But for some reason, this one was even better...probably due in part to the following:

-I was much more prepared for this one, physically

-I was 100% healthy and injury-free at the starting line, no shin splints this time

-I was a little bit less nervous about this one, being that I was able to tell myself "I've done this before. I can do this."

-No hills in this one. None. Beautifully flat. Gloriously flat. A very welcome change from the San Francisco marathon course.

-And all of the above made it possible for me to beat my San Francisco time by 45 minutes!

Another huge plus? I was able to run this one with my friend, Marianne. I ran my very first race with Marianne 2 years ago. When I ran my first marathon, she was pregnant, and then when she ran her first marathon, I was pregnant. And we always swore one day we would run one together. Standing at the starting line of 26.2 miles isn't so scary when you have a friend to laugh with and hold your hand...Ok, so its still scary as $@#? but at least you can be scared together, right? ;)

7:40 a.m., the gun went off, we waved to John McCain (who was standing ridiculously close to us), and we were off! We ran side by side for the first 6 miles and then we parted ways. I knew there was no way I was gonna be able to keep up with Marianne the entire way...she is a speedy one! But I'm glad I got to enjoy that first hour with her! :)

As much as I enjoyed running with Marianne, I also very much love running alone, so once I was on my own I just got in the zone, turned up my Ipod and started daydreaming. The miles flew by as I high-fived kids in their front yards, drooled over the beautiful mansions we ran by, admired the gorgeous views of Camelback Mountain, and smiled at the amazing supporters who were out in the wee hours of the morning to cheer us on.

I'm not sure why, but there is something very emotional about running a marathon. I often get a little teary eyed when I read the backs of peoples shirts running for a cause or for a friend...and I find that it inspires me and keeps me going.

I ran for several miles right behind a girl about my age wearing a shirt with a picture of her husband on it, currently serving in the war, and it read "Half my heart is in Afghanistan."

I ran another several miles next to two girls running side by side. Written in marker down one girls leg it said "Cancer survivor" and down the girls leg running next to her, it said "Run for Beth, With Beth."

And I ran another several miles next to a man wearing a shirt with a picture of his friend on it who was a victim of 9/11.

Everytime I saw a runner run to the side of the road to get a kiss from their husband or a hug from their kid, it made me smile. :)

It also made me think of Randy and Madden...and it helped me to keep running.

I hit the wall at about mile 23...I was so ready to be done and I could tell my pace was slowing down a lot. And I REALLY wanted to reach my goal of finishing in under 4 1/2 hours. When I hit the wall in San Francisco, I kept daydreaming about 2 things: the delicious crab salad sandwich I was going to eat afterwards at Fentons and Randy waiting anxiously at the finish line for me.

And it kept me going.

This time around, Randy was not waiting for me at the finish line and neither was a crab salad sandwich from Fentons :(

So this time, I reminded myself of 2 things that were waiting at the finish line for me:

Madden and Sprinkles cupcakes. :)

And it worked.

It kept me going and I was able to cross the finish line with a smile on my face and with a finishing time of

4: 26: 09.

I can now say that I have run two marathons in two different places that I have called home. They are places that are dear to my heart and hold so many memories for me.

Now I call Chicago home. And although it is only a temporary home, I have already fallen in love with this place! I know when our 3 years is up here, we will have created so many wonderful memories in Chicago and it will break my heart to leave.

So I figured it only fitting that I run my 3rd marathon in my 3rd home...

Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2010, here I come!

Who wants to run with me?? ;)