This marathon was a 10 in the marathon world...More about the marathon later...Arriving in Philadelphia on Thursday the 9th of December was like arriving in SIBERIA...The days light was almost gone and I needed to pick up my friend Nicholas at a bus station in the middle of Phily...The flight was uneventful other that I listened to Chinese pod with a kind gentleman from Phily who was a toxologist...He had been in SLC for a business meeting. It was very interesting listening to how he began studying Mandarin..
I wasn't expecting the traffic to be so congested...It took me longer than expected to pick up Nicholas when I finally arrived at the station, and finally connected it was a welcome reunion..We toured the station which was a hub to many East coast commuters..Unique architecture with large marble columns is what I remember...
After greeting each other we left for Nicholas' niece Leah's home in the middle of Phily...We found the house without too much difficulty, greeting 2 darling, educated girls that were very hospitable to graciously open their doors to and let us spend the night. After meeting Leah and Lauren and getting settled we went to an Indian restaurant which was yummy! I had chickpeas w a spicy red sauce over the top...MMMM, is all I can say. All of the food we ordered was incredible after sampling each....Lauren and Leah then took us to buy Gelato..I wasn't too excited about this since we were already in Siberia freezing to death, but when we arrived at the shop, it was warm inside and the varieties of Gelato were not to be missed...Orange Cardamon, Rosemary Goat Milk, Kiwi, Grape, Walnut, of course I had to taste them all... They let you sample as many as you liked...Nicholas and I settled on Kiwi...Yummy! Better than Frozen Yogurt! Later that night after conversing with our hostesses I slept on their couch in a nice warm sleeping bag Nicholas had packed so toasty. Their house was cold and drafty since it was old...Little mice were nibbling through everything including Nicholas' candy I had made for him...Leah and Lauren were renovating the house, and it was incredible to see what they had accomplished since purchasing...Hard worker and IKEA...
The next morning we packed up after breakfast (Nicholas had to pack up a huge backpack he brought since he thought we might be camping outside) and started our journey to the US mint...I wanted to get some more coins for Andrew's collection...After a few near death driving adventures going down a one way street, running red lights etc., Nicholas was not in a very good mood...Anyway we made it to the mint, found the state quarters and special collections I had come for, and then Nicholas wanted a tour...The mint is across the street from Benjamin Franklin's gravesite...Needless to say our time ran out on the parking meter and we were ticketed by the nimble parking police. Did you know that these zippy parking elves have radar sensitive ears that know immediately when the time is up on the meter. We were ticketed in less than 5 minutes...TOURIST'S BEWARE! I refused to pay the ticket so Nicholas did!
After an intense discussion on payment of the ticket, we left for Rehoboth...What an adventure we had getting to Rehoboth...I had just purchased a new TOM TOM on black friday...IT WAS HORRIBLE! It's coordinates were off and it sent us to infinity and beyond! Anyway we made it to Rehoboth taking the long boat to China route...I was able to find food along the road and everything worked out fine...It wasn't too difficult finding race headquarters and the bright side of all the wrong turns trying to get to rehoboth was that is was warmer!!!! YES!!!!! I felt more confident about the race. The RD's were kind, knowledgable and well organized...The town was like Mayberry...It was charming to say the least...Nicholas ate at the restaurant that was advertised as the all you can eat pasta feast, which was next door to the race headquarters. Nicholas indulged on the pasta, but I needed to be careful...My tummy wasn't feeling good...HOWEVER...I met many good friends in the restaurant and became acquainted with new friend...Dave Bell, and Mama Jean to mention a few....Dave Bell is respectful of my decision to honor the sabbath and not run...He is a good man... Nicholas is unique in being able to find new friends and include them wherever he may go...A GREAT MISSIONARY!...He had already invited a runner from Colorado, Dave to eat with us...We had a very enjoyable time learning about him and his racing career...After Dinner Nicholas and I took a walk on the beach lighted with Christmas...What a different yet unique memory at Christmas...The sound of the waves ebb and tide, the smell of the ocean, the feel of the sand walking in winter boots, the site of the Christmas lights on the beach and buildings and last of all the touch of someone special. Overwhelming to my senses...Knowing it was getting late we knew we needed to find our campsite or housing for the night....I spotted a hotel that was only $45, so instead of camping we took a room...It was the best investment I ever made...I was able to get to sleep fast and was WARM! The next morning I was able to stay warm inside the hotel, not a car until the race started....It started at the cutest bandstand you ever saw...Right in the middle of town...I arrived, and only had to stand about 15minutes before the race started...I should have used the porta potty...I knew I would be in trouble since I didn't do a good job eliminating my bowels that morning...THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER WAS SUNG beautifully by a soprano voice, then the gun went off...I was on the way (cold albeit), to my 36th state marathon....The course started out great, I found I could breath easy at sea level...I picked up my pace and started to cruise...I started to warm up and increased my pace passing many quaint beach homes on the way. One enjoyable part of the race was a dirt trail...It was right in the middle and was it a pleasing site for my feet...The scenery of the course was always changing and I never became bored with it...I loved running in the State Park close to the ocean it was beautiful...My hands had 2 hand warmers in each, but were still cold. Thank goodness we didn't have wind! The course was hilly but not hard, just enough to slow you down a little and rev you back up...At about mile 13 1/2 way through my stomach started to cramp... I knew I was in trouble...By mile 17, I had to use the porta potty...I was loosing time running slower because of the cramping...I should have stayed a little longer in the porta potty, because before mile 19, I had to go to the bushes without toilet paper for another bout of diarrhea....OWIE...Running the next 7 miles was painful, not to mention the chaffing I had to endure after the marathon for several days...OPEN SORES, for several days...This was the worst! My pace slowed traumatically but I still finished in 3:42...Just think if I would have been able to keep the same pace the last 10 miles...WOW, PR for sure!...The medal was a red and white life preserver that had the name of the race on it...Very cute! The shirt was a white short sleeved tech shirt...Last year's was better, I bought a large with long sleeves, but the food was outstanding....A potpourri of hot good food....I couldn't partake because of stomach problems, but I made a plate for Nicholas...
The massage line was slow but felt good...Afterwards I was able to go back to the hotel for a hot bath! I came in and was freezing after cooling down from the run so this was what I enjoyed most. A post race luxury that I never get to experience sleeping in the car! I loved this race and would like to run it again...We left shortly after I bathed and took in some scenic routes on the way back to PHILY, including trying to find a TCBY in the middle of a cul de sac...Needless to say the TOM TOM went back to Walmart! e stayed overnight in the airport parking and had an eventful early morning to say the least! RAIN, CONFUSION AND CONTENTION, not my idea of a tender parting or start of a sabbath...I barely made it to my flight but was thankful I was on my way back to UTAH...The missionary experiences I had were: Talking with the toxologist on the plane, the many friends I met in the restaurant and on the road, and my special friends Leah and Lauren....I hope they felt my spirit...When I met these girls I came to a profound knowledge that they are loved by a kind, wonderful Heavenly Father and his son, their elder brother Jesus Christ...I felt that love they have for these 2 beautiful girl and realized once again it doesn't matter the size, shape, gender, sin or color one is, we are all loved by our Heavenly Father and our elder brother Jesus Christ...WE ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD.... He made this known very clear to me with the love I felt for each girl... I love this gospel, I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father...On the last leg of each marathon, I chant over and over again special covenants I have made with my Heavenly Father in the Holy Temples I visit...This gives me strength to finish each marathon with power...POWER IN THE PRIESTHOOD! I love this church, it is the true church of JESUS CHRIST!
