We have been training, but with my schedule and going back to school, I haven't gotten in enough training. Our longest run was 10 miles - and we did that twice. Our longest run should have been 12. And I didn't do much running during the training weeks and I definitly need to do that!
We drove down Friday night and stayed with a couple that stay with my parents for the Hotter n Hell Hundred bike race in Wichita Falls. They were great. But it was funny because we didnt really know what to expect and we ended up sharing a full size bed, which was totally fine, but she is used to a king and I am used to a queen (by myself!). The husband offered us a blow up mattress, but the wife warned us it wasnt what we were expecting - she was right - it was an airmattress for a sleeping bag when camping. I think it's the perfect spot for Rachael!
On Saturday, we slept in a little and then went to the Expo to pick up our packets and race numbers. Parking was ridiculous. Getting our packets was really pretty easy. However, the expo was so crowded. What do you expect when there are 30,000 people signed up for the race. We then went to see the movie Spirit of the Marthon. It was good. After a great nap, we met up with Fred and Clint for dinner.
The night before, we laid out all our clothes and stuff to take with us. On Sunday, Rachael got up to take a shower (I know, weird) at 4am and I got up at 4:30. I got dressed with everything I laid out.
We got to the parking around 5:30 or 6, all I know is it was below 40 degrees and I was wearing a skirt. I had a dryfit jacket (one of my favs) that I knew I was going to end up tossing on the side of the course (which would go to goodwill), but I was really sad about that. Rachael and I looked for something else for our "throw away" clothes at Target, but didnt find anything good. Oh well, I guess now it will be someone else's favorite jacket. As we walked to the busses to be transported to the start line with tutu's in hand, we got several looks and a few comments.
The race started at 7:30am, but we were released in waves. The runners were split between 30 corrals based on the race you were running and your expected finish time. Rachael and I were in the 21 corral because we were running the half in an expected 2:30. We ended up starting about 45 minutes after the clock started - but of course, our chip time is the important time.
The first eight miles were pretty good. And in the probably the second mile I had a first. Fred asked us the other day if we had ever been spit on by a passing runner - not on purpose, of course, but by accident. Well, I can now answer yes - unfortunantly, or not, it was me that spit on me! Gross, I know. Then, at the water stop at mile 10, one of the volunteers spilled a Cytomax on my tutu and down my leg so I was sticky sticky. And my feet were wet from all the water spilled at the water spots and I thought my toes were bleeding (turns out, no bleeding - and no blisters!).
As you can see from the graph above, miles 1 & 2 were strong, 3-8 were also strong but slower, then crashing down at 10 and not picking up til mile 13 - which is odd cause I felt horrible at 13 - until I saw the finish line.
At mile 10, I started to get tired and my left foot was falling asleep - which is typical, but not good. Miles 11-12 were hard. I should have trained more. But, we were just out here for fun, and our pace had been pretty good so far. Then at the last water stop people were telling us we only had a mile to go. I think they need to measure that again! It was the longest mile ever! I was having a really hard time with the last mile. It was so discouraging that I kept turning corners and no end in sight - and then we had to run up a stupid hill! I walked up the last half of the hill. But as soon as I got to the top, I picked back up and shortly after, I saw the end and took off.
At the finish line, we were called out by the announcer for our tutu's and that was fun. And right after we crossed the finish line, got our medals and some water, we were asked for an interview by what we think was a local tv station, but we werent coherent enough to ask who they were - or answer their questions as fully as they wanted. We probably didn't make their cut. (We should have remembered to take a pic before we were all gross and nasty)
We then made our way over to one of the medic tents to get our knees iced. It was a sea of people. We were supposed to wait around for Fred and Clint to cross the finishline from their marathon, but there was no way we would have found them. We got in line for a beer, but of course I gave mine away, and then made our way to the busses to take us back to the car.
I think it was while we were walking around that I realized that I didn't remember putting deoderant on that morning! Not because I could smell myself, but it just dawned on me - though, I did stink. This was the dirtiest race I have ever run. Spit, smelly pits, cytomax down my leg, some other black stuff on my other leg (although, in the pic, it just looks like I have vericose veins), leftover yogurt smoothie poured on me after the race... I was disgusting. But again, we had fun. (another pic to come later)
We went back to the house, cleaned up, relaxed for a bit and then packed and headed home. In Austin, we stopped for a
Freebirds burrito ... mmm ... and arrived back in Dallas around 7:30ish. It was a good time and a good test to see where we are for our next race -
White Rock Half Marathon (Dec 14) - we have some training to do, and only about 3 weeks to do it! Better get back in the running shoes...
Now that is a lot of sweat!
