26.2 in 3:40:40!

Last weekend was the big race...the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama. We took half the day off last Friday and drove down with our friends Jen and Danny (Danny is Matt's running partner) and Danny's brother Tim (who is training to qualify for Boston at the marathon in Phoenix, AZ in January). They got registered for the race, we found some food, and checked into our hotel for an early night.

Bright eyed at 6:30 on Saturday morning, the boys were up and at 'em - pinning numbers on, checking the weather religiously for any sign of rain, and getting a quick breakfast in before race start. Jen and I dropped the boys off at the starting line...BRR! 39 degree start. I was cold and I had a coat, hat, scarf, and gloves on!

Matt bundled up in the car ride to the starting line

Danny, Matt, and Tim before race start

Jen and I then plotted out our day on the course, trying to meet and cheer on the boys as many places as we could. We ended up being able to catch them at mile markers 1.5, 7, 13, 16, 21, 24, and the finish line. I'd say that's pretty productive! We were happy to do so, and thankfully the rain held off - for our sake and for all of the runners!

Jen, demonstrating what we did for the next 4 hours - clap and cheer

Mile 7 - smiles!

Mile 13...still smiling!

Mile 16...hill ahead, smiles now reduced to "oh crap she's taking my picture" half smiles

Matt @ Mile 24 - so close to finishing!

We were able to catch the finish on a quick video...their goal time was to finish under 4 hours, and they crushed that goal by about 20 minutes and finished in 3:40:40. After wrapping themselves in foil and getting some much needed hydration and snacks, we headed back to the hotel for showers, packed up, grabbed some food on the way out of town, and began to drive back as the rain started. Thank God for keeping the rain away - really a blessing!

26.2 in 3:40:40

26.2 - check!

Matt, Danny, and Tim in all of their aluminum glory!

All in all, a great weekend...we had a great time, but I'm pretty sure the boys are ready for a few weekends without a crazy long Saturday run. A few lazy hours on the couch WITH Matt sound quite in order in the upcoming weeks - especially since they may be few and far between after mid January!

Thanks to all of you who were thinking and praying for Matt (and the weather!) last weekend as he ran the marathon...much appreciated!