and i was ruhhhhnniiinnnngggg: megan marchant runs the stg marathon and we REJOICE!

the st. george marathon has been a natural part of october for as long as i can remember.

perhaps it's because i remember going to see my dad cross the finish line back in the early 80's and have the image scarred into my brain of his friend who finished in a white t-shirt.


which was SOAKED BY HIS BLOODY NIPPLES. (really.)



all kidding aside, it's probably because it's a pretty big deal 'round these parts--a beautiful but brutal course through our scenic country seems to be the siren's call that lures just about everybody i've known through the years.

this year, it was my baby sister megan who heeded the call--and we were wanting to support her, full force.


we went up to the north entrance of snow canyon to see her pass around mile 16:


we brought our signs with us, the most popular of which was this one:

(in my defense, it quotes mia when talking about megan's tiny baby cole, who was one thirsty guy. but it brought a resounding "ME TOO!" from more than one male runner.)




our friend, breque, was running that morning, too, and we realized that the sign would apply to her baby, zac:

(but we could NOT resist the photo opportunity with all THREE of her boys!)

we were so excited to see our megan--i was taking these while running behind her, so pardon the blur. i loved how madeleine ran with her for a few yards:

soon after megan passed, we spotted breque--


her boys were waiting up ahead for her, and this is one of my favorite photos from the day:

we saw a few other friends and loved ones.



mike, who was rocking the run:

darrin:

as well as made a few new ones--


as in the case of these two, who yelled, "why don't you want to take a picture of all THIS RIGHT HERE?"


so, of course, you know i had to:

and this gal right here, who stopped a few feet past me, turned back and asked, "is your name mindi?"

when i said yes, she said, "i read your blog!"


happiest day, ever. it tickled me to no end that she would have taken that moment in the middle of her personal hell (translation: 26.2 miles) to validate me.


you COMPLETE ME, monica:

we waited to see megan once more when she entered town at mile 24:

she was pretty beat, exhausted, emotionally spent, and OVER-HEATED:

but she still had a (semi) smile on her face. AND was able to give her devoted fans a few "high-fives":

our little trooper finished STRONG at 4:43.


amazing:

and she was the happiest girl in all the land:

tomorrow i'll post about the motivational posters we put up along the way for megan--

i quite liked them: (and i hope i don't break my arm patting myself on the back.)