Running Across UT: Day 11

Day 11
My run was cut three miles short yesterday, so I had to add three more miles today. That made it my longest run ever at 37 miles through the salt flats. Not a whole lot to look at.

I forgot my hat, so my mom made one for me out of a pillowcase. When covered with water, it was even cooler than the hat I purchased from REI.

Seeing as it was my last day, I was determined to finish as quickly as possible. I kept a good pace, walked through water breaks rather than stopping to stretch, and before I knew it, I was at mile 30 with only 7 miles to go. My wife (who has been such an amazing support through everything) ran the last six of seven miles with me. I wasn't sure what my pace for the last mile would be, so I had my parents pick her up and take her to the finish line so that she wouldn't miss me crossing it in the case that I took off sprinting.

Turns out it was a good thing my wife didn't run the last mile with me. I found an energy I didn't know I had. I kept thinking about my students and imagined them cheering me on and slapping my hand as I ran for the state line. Adrenaline filled my body.

The feeling of crossing the state line was unbelievable. Honestly I have no idea how to describe the experience. I jumped up and down with joy and even cried for a minute. This was truly one of the best experiences of my life.

Afterwards, we went to eat at a casino buffet and then I jumped in the car with my wife and son to drive back to Sandy. Both my wife and son were asleep as I drove the 101 miles I had just run. Seeing this distance made me cry again. After 350 miles, a stress fracture, and having to train twice, my journey came to a successful end.

A special thanks to my mom and dad for making this possible and supporting me all along the 350 miles. An even bigger thanks to my wife who put up with me spending so much time and energy making one of my life dreams a reality, all while she single handedly took care of our son Charlie and nursed me back to health each day.