Marathon Training: California Dreaming

Last year I started a photo project while training for the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon. It was a happy accident that turned into a really great way to remember my training experience.  I turned the photos into a small hardcover book - and a tradition was born!  The project started again when I began training for California International Marathon in August.  Now the training is done and all that is left to do is run the race.  Hopefully those California Dreams will come true!

Week 1 was a hot one!

Week 2: Thank goodness for clouds!

Week 3: Sometimes your run goes well...and sometimes you have tacos.

Week 4: Sweet relief

Week 5: I became that person who runs a 20K in the middle of their long run

Week 6: We ran this many miles today -first 20 miler of training!

Week 7: A powerful storm blew over some big, old trees on our route

Week 8: Sometimes you feel like an Ace and sometimes you fake it until you make it!

Week 9: Beautiful views at Winfrey Point

Week 10: It is awesome when your training run turns into a race with Erin

Week 11: Ever have a panda cheer for you at a race? Didn't think so!

Week 12: A selfie of a selfie whilst straddling the line between Kentucky and Indiana

Week 13: Brr!!  The last 20 miler brought a stiff wind!

Week 14: Beautiful fall scenes on a rainy day at Arbor Hills

Week 15: Last long run done in our happy place. Focused and ready.

Friday Quick Hits: It Is Fall Y'all!

This week brought one of the best days of the year - the first day of fall!  It is officially my favorite time of year.  Time for the State Fair of Texas, pumpkin spice EVERYTHING, candy corn, and the best running weather of the year.  The school year is off to a great start and marathon training is going strong now as I prepare for California International Marathon on December 7.

Tour des Fleurs
The Tour des Fleurs is one of my favorite races of the year because it begins and ends at the Dallas Arboretum with a terrific after party on the lawn.  We've had to miss it the last couple of years, so I was happy to see that it would work with our training schedule this year.  We signed up for the 20K, but had 18 miles on the plan for the day - so we parked 3.5 miles away and ran to the start of the race. It worked out perfectly and I enjoyed being able to practice my long run in real life race conditions. It was nice to have the on-course support with aide stations every few miles.  I also enjoyed crossing the finish line, taking a break to visit with friends, enjoying a beer, and then finishing up the rest of my miles as I ran to the car.

Ironman Chattanooga
This is a big weekend for a few of my friends as they take on the challenge of Ironman Chattanooga. It has been fun to cheer on Baha, Stude, and Drum as they train for their latest Ironman challenge (I say "latest" because none of them are rookies at this distance).  I was privileged to get to share in some training time on the bike with Drum this summer.  I use the word "share" liberally as she was always WAY ahead of me, even on her "easy pace" days.  She always wears a big smile on her face and I know that Sunday will just be her victory lap to an incredibly strong training cycle.  Good luck to Drum, Stude, Baha, and the rest of the gang!  Listen closely and you can hear us cheering all the way from Texas.

Have you ever seen a bigger smile on a bike? (photo: Mama C)

KittyCat Quince 
Last weekend I attended a unique event - a Quinceanera for Oliva the beloved cat of That Pink Girl. You may laugh at the idea of a Cat Quinceanera, but it was really quite a brilliant idea.  What a great way to gather your friends together while collecting towels and sheets for a worthy animal charity? There was cake and a piñata and the singing of Happy Birthday - it really was a fantastic evening.  My Maggie dog will be fifteen next summer, perhaps she would enjoy her own Quinceanera!

Photos Courtesy of That Pink Girl

Marathon Training: Strong. Happy.

I "accidentally" started a photo project while training for the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon. Each week Saturday I added a new photo, the following 16 photos represents the past 16 weeks of training.

Week 1 -- One last long bike ride to celebrate Erin's birthday

13 miles of heat acclimation -- ugh.

 

TPG helped  this 15 miler pass by so quickly

 

The view from Winfrey Point -- our training "home"

El Scorcho -- 25K plus 3 miles at midnight?  It is best with frunners.

First 20 miler of training!

 

This friendly goose came to visit us after our run.

 

View from mile 17 -- it really was as hot and dry as it looks.

 

He who brings the most bread draws the biggest gaggle.

 

Another 20 miler -- we were lucky to have beautiful weather!

 

I'm running this 26.2 for the American Music Therapy Association

 

Mexico Cokes (MexiCokes) hit the spot after a hot 20 miles

 

We discovered a new-to-us farmer's market.

Last 20 miler -- Hello Taper!

 

Glen Rose Run--Taking time out from crewing for Erin at the Texas Time Trials

   

Strong. Happy. Ready to run.

 

Quick Hits--Summer Funnin' Style

About a week ago reality started to tap me on the shoulder and today it got more brave and stared me right in the eye.  I will be back to my full-time work gig exactly one week from today!  Umm...where did the summer days go?  I have no complaints though, looking back on it I can see that this has been one of the most fun and active summers I have had in quite a while. As I prepare to heed the call of the school bell, I wanted to take a moment or two to share some of the great things that are ongoing in my world these days.  Thus I give you...the quick hits....

Dreamin' Big--Chicago Style
A huge obsession ongoing process of this summer has been training for the Chicago Marathon coming up on October 7.  Mr K and I have been working hard as a team and our training kicked off on June 18.  I have a long history of resentment and struggle when it comes to training in the summer heat.  I don't like it, it is hard and it is very humbling....but I do it...every summer.  It is one of those love/hate things because I always emerge a stronger runner in the fall, but I have just never handled it with much grace (translation: lots of whining, moaning, and gnashing of teeth usually ensues.).  However, this summer I have adopted a firm "no whining" policy about the heat.  No more checking the temperature when I wake up, obsessing over the humidity, or dreading the sweat--this is Texas, it is hot and that is not going to change. Time to get over it.  I decided to embrace the heat and let it challenge me and make me into what it will.  The result?  I have never run stronger in the summer.  (Exhibit A: a new course record at the Liberty 5K) The mind is a strong thing, y'all!

I have only run one marathon and I followed a fairly conservative training plan.  I wanted to survive relatively unscathed and have an experience that would make me want to run more marathons.  The training plan called for a bunch of miles, but no specific paces or speed work.  It took me a solid month of hard work to get back to speed after that race and I decided that from now on all marathon training would include an element of speed work.  I also decided that I wanted to really "race" Chicago, not merely cover the distance--but truly push myself.  I have found a training plan that fits me so very well.  It is a great mix of speed and endurance and it challenges me every time I lace up my shoes.  Each time I read the planned workout I think "I don't think I can do this, but I will try." and most of the time I end up meeting the day's goals.  It is exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time. 

My Current Obsession

One more important note on Chicago: this marathon is something of a perfect storm of events at the national American Music Therapy Association annual conference will be held in Chicago the week following the race (traditionally held in mid-November...see? Perfect storm.).  Andrew, a music therapy frunner from the great white north (North Dakota actually) has challenged my region (Southwestern Region) to a fundraising duel with his region (Midwestern Region)--all funds going to support the mission of the American Music Therapy Association.  So please check out this link, watch the hilarious video that Andrew produced, and please give a few bucks in my name to support the greater cause of music therapy.  I would appreciate it mightily!

Runner on Wheels
In addition to marathon training, I have had a second project going on this summer.  You will remember that I got a bike at the beginning of the summer and my goal was to become a fairly proficient rider by the time school started again.  I am happy to report that I installed some proper pedals, got some shoes, and have been successfully clipping in and out during my rides this week.  I have so much to learn, but have enjoyed a couple of bike rallies now and feel comfortable enough to go on longish rides with my friends.  Do I still feel like a runner pretending to ride a bike? Yes!  And I still have so very much to learn!

Donkey Ride Buddies-TPG, Robert, and Heidi

Aside from the Dr Pepper ride, I have had a couple of other memorable experiences on the bike this summer.  In July I was thrilled to go on my first Donkey Ride.  My friends have this great route that goes through the edge of the suburbs and passes a field with some of the friendliest donkeys you will ever see.  If you know me at all, you know that donkeys are one of my favorite things.  Imagine how my heart filled with joy as I snapped these pictures. 

I also took part in the Blazing Saddles 40 mile ride out in mountainous Granbury this past weekend.  This ride was brought to me by the letter "H" for hills, headwinds, heat, and humbling.  I knew that Granbury was hillier than the Metroplex, but I didn't know just how challenging it would be.  There was one steep grade that came from out of nowhere (a friend estimated the % of the grade--but I forget those details...I just saw STEEP) after a sharp corner and a quick downhill.  There was a pile of cyclists on the ground, people on the sides--it was madness!  This is when I hopped off my bike and pushed it up the hill....and I giggled the whole way.  I couldn't believe that I was pushing my bike! The ride was quite challenging at times, more fun at other times, and overall I had a blast.  The day was made even better as we hung out under a sparse shade tree waiting for Debby and Erin to finish their 75 mile ride.  Yep, 75 miles on those hills and in that heat?  These women are beasts! 

Blazing Saddles!

Add in a splash of part time work, time spent with friends, lots of time hanging with Mr K, tons of Olympic watching, and a somewhat unhealthy obsession with Rangers baseball and you have my summer in a nutshell.  I am always grateful for a job that allows me a bit of "down time" each year to recharge my batteries and rev up for another challenging, yet fulfilling, year at work. As I head back to work next week I will carry with me a mind full of memories, a heart full of happiness, and a body covered in odd and random tan lines.

Marathon Week: Words of Advice from My Wise Frunners

As I was running my last long run on Sunday my mind wandered a bit and I thought about what I wanted to say in my blog this week. I am merely days away from my first marathon and I felt as if I should have something inspiring to say...you know, something that profound that would knock your socks off! That is when the idea hit me--why not let all of the experienced runners I know do the talking for me. I am so lucky to be surrounded by some INCREDIBLE runners. We are talking multiple marathoners, ultra marathoners, fifty milers, and some who will be taking on hundred milers in the next year. So I turned to the social media networks--Facebook, Twitter, and Daily Mile--and asked for their advice for a rookie/1st time marathoner. The responses were just fabulous, like I said--I'm lucky to know such diverse and experienced runners. I have sorted through all of the tips and tidbits and have found that most of them fall within a few basic categories: inspirational, practical, straight up running, and humorous.

Practical:
Bring toilet paper you never know when you might need it out on the course. I’ve seen races where they ran out before the race even started. Night before place everything you need out on the floor, especially if you are traveling. –Rodney

Bring a throw away sweatshirt to wear while waiting for the race to start. It will be cold before starting. –Mark L.

Lube everything that might rub. EVERYTHING. Most importantly – have fun. –Rick

1.Before the race, go to the port-a-potty. Then get out of it and go to the back of the port-o-potty line. Do it.
2. Don't plan on sleeping a lot the night before. Nerves are too much. Get a huge sleep two nights before and know that will be enough to get you through.
3. Plan out your celebration-i.e. ice cream with relatives afterward so there is no strain on your time. –Andrew

Straight Up Running:
Run SLOW! No time goals! –Libby

Goals are great, but deal with what the day gives you. If you see a goal slip away mid-race, re-assess and move on. A positive attitude will carry you a lot of miles…and a negative attitude can keep you in misery a lot of miles. If you have people coming to cheer, ask them to come around mile 16 or 20…at the finish line, you’ll have all the energy you need to cross, it’s those “wall” miles when a familiar face can make all the difference. –Lesley J

The start is key. DON’T go out too fast! The excitement at the start will be high, soak it in but don’t get caught up in it. If stressed in the later miles try to smile. You will do great I wish you well. –Byron

1) Be sure finishing is one of your goals. 2) Have fun! –Matt F

Your goal for this first should be to finish, nothing else. I’ve seen a few people set the marathon goal bar a little too high, only to come away disappointed. Use the first one as a measuring tool for your next. You’ll know what to expect then. –Marlon O.

Don’t let all the positive energy and excitement make you run too fast at the start! –Jeremy C

If you trained with walk/run intervals trust your training and do not skip the planned intervals, especially the early ones. Make sure your time goal matches your successful training runs. Pacing, patience, pacing, patience and do not start out too fast. Good luck! –Paula R

Go big, or go home! ….and stay with the pace you trained for, the temptation will be to run it faster, don’t. –Reece C.

Listen to your body until mile 20, then it is all about your brain. Trust your training, follow your plan, don’t let anyone else try and change it. Don’t go out too fast, don’t change anything you have been doing, and SMILE when you cross that finish line. –Elizabeth M

You trained for a reason – stick with your pace/intervals/eating/clothing that you trained with. There are others faster/slower/running various intervals/ paces – that’s THEIR race and not yours. “Dance with the one who brung ya”…don’t ignore what has worked for you these last few months. –Mel K

START slower than your goal pace, then at the end run like a bad ass when you have something left in the tank (it feels so much better to finish strong). And the last 4miles of White Rock are essentially downhill. I agree that the last 6 miles are mind over matter. Good luck! --Robin D.

Nobody-nobody has figured out the best way to run the last 10k of a marathon. Don't set a time goal. Your only goal is to finish. --Andrew

The mythical "wall" everybody talks about is extremely mobile and never in the same spot 2 races in a row. At last year's Honolulu Marathon they decided to put it at the 16 mile mark. The year before they had it at the 20. What gives?!?! Maybe this year they'll have it at 26.3 miles. :) Serious tip: DON'T start off too fast. If anything, go slow to the point where you feel like you're doing something wrong. Adrenaline at the start is cool and all, but if you go out too fast it WILL bit you in the butt. –Jan J

Run the first 10 miles with your head, the second 10 miles with your legs, and the last 10K with your heart. (I read this somewhere...wish I remembered where...)

Run your 1st marathon to have a good time rather than to run a fast time. –Hal Higdon (my "coach" whose books and training plans I have been following)

Inspirational:
Tell everyone you know you’re doing the race. When mile 22 comes and you want to quit, you will think of all their faces. —Elaine

When you are feeling low, trust your training and smile at the crowd. But most of all, have fun!! –Marci

Enjoy the moment, it will be loud so take it all in! Wave and make eye contact with the people cheering, they will cheer harder! Don’t stare at the clock and sprint for the finish! Stay steady, look to your left and right and see the fans cheering for you! –Derek

Take time at the finish to enjoy the moment. You just did something pretty incredible – soak it in! Smile, cry, hug, accept praise. –Amy

Enjoy the ride. You can try for a time goal on the next one. You’ve trained so hard relish every step! Also, trust your training! --Corina

Don't stop when it hurts. Kick the sh** out of the wall if you encounter it. It's okay to cry when you cross the finish line. Remember you can rest when you are done. Have fun and be a super star! –Fawn

Keep your eye on the ball – the finish line. –Rebekah

Humorous:
How about, watch the marathon on tv while eating a big bag of chips with dip…just sayin’ --Jeff E

Stick to whatever beer you trained with. –Erik

Don’t trip. –Jaela

Cat’s White Rock Marathon advice:
1. Lube up any/all body parts that touch other body parts
2. Drink the beer at 18, eat the free food on Swiss Ave
3. Stuff a few tissues in your pockets; potties often run out of paper and you can always sell them to the highest bidder
4. Don’t toss your gloves too early, you may be cold on the “other” side of the lake.
5. Plan a pig out somewhere because the food at White Rock is pretty sad.

My favorite advice comes from Michelle B.--
Don’t run slow!! Run hard, you’ve trained like a bad ass, race like a bad ass!! You should cross that finish line knowing you left it all out there. You only get 1 first marathon, no regrets! (Seriously, doesn't that fire you up? Who doesn't want to race like a bad ass?)

Runners are very generous people and I appreciate everyone taking a moment or two to share their thoughts, support, and advice with me. I am so excited the marathon and can hardly wait for Sunday to get here. The training is done, the miles have been run (the hay is in the barn, as so many say)--hang on tight because the the ride is about to begin!

Oh and be sure to stop by That Pink Girlfor a peek at what Erik will be busy doing on marathon day. Hint...it involves BOOBS!!

Fort Worth Marathon 20 Miler: Dress Rehearsal for 26.2

When I was looking at my training plan and race schedule for the White Rock Marathon, I was very pleased to see that there was a 20 mile race on the exact same weekend that one of my 20 milers was scheduled. No doubt that I would approach it as a training run, but what a perfect chance to treat a 20 miler like a dress rehearsal for the real thing. I was so excited that I would be able to practice pace, hydration, and nutrition during race day conditions. I think that this was slightly brilliant on the part of the Fort Worth Marathon organizers.

The running weather gods were so kind (not) to us again. The conditions were slightly more favorable than they were for the DRC Half, but not by much. Temps in the mid-60s with a 10 mph wind and humidity. Oh well, the chances of marathon day weather being like this are high so I might as well be prepared. Erik had just returned from Montana the night before and was not running this race, but he was super supportive and got up and made the early drive over to Fort Worth. This race was fairly small so we had not trouble parking, getting my packet, and finding friends. I chatted with Derek and Robin while I waited for Elaine to arrive with my shirt. Some of us would be advertising the New Year's Double by wearing promo shirts for the race and Elaine was bringing mine to me. . Soon enough Elaine, Robin W, and Lesley arrived and we chatted for a bit and took a few pictures before lining up to start.


Elaine & I model NYD Shirts

I was amazed at how carefree I felt going into this race. It made me realize just how much I stress out about half marathons. I put alot of pressure on myself to run them in two hours or less and anything else feels like I have failed. There was no pressure on this race morning--heck, I was running 20 miles and that alone would be a huge success in my book.

I have working very hard on pacing during this marathon training cycle. I have read and heard the horror stories of runners who have gone out too fast and then have paid for it dearly in the later miles. I know that it will get hard at the end, but I don't want it to be because I went out too fast. My goal for the day was to hold a very reasonable pace somewhere between 9:40 and 10:00 minute miles. The humidity and headwind were telling me that something closer to 10:00 would be more reasonable and I made a goal to finish at or below 3:20. My usual half marathon race pace is between 8:30-9:00 so it is hard at times to run slower, but I know that it is important so I do it.

The race was an out-and-back along the Trinity Trails in Fort Worth. It was a fairly flat course, pretty at times but not the most scenic. We ran into the wind for the first ten miles so I was very much looking forward to the turn around point. Perhaps that would help me post some nice, negative splits. A couple of miles in and I had a strong feeling of deja vu...then I realized that we were running through the park where El Scorcho was run. It looked the same, yet different in the daylight.

The crowd support was minimal for this small race, but my frunners came through in a huge way! I somewhere along the way (before mile 10--maybe around mile 7?) I recognized a small but mighty group. Corina, Marci, and Stacy were there with funny glitter signs, cameras, and lots of cheers. It really made me laugh to see them and certainly put a pep in my step for a little while. They will never know how much that meant to me and I hope to return the favor someday soon!


Cracked up by cheer squad antics

This stretch was fun because the marathon and 20 mile leaders were starting to pass by me heading back the other way. They looked so strong and so fast, I can only imagine what it feels like to run that way. Finally I reached the ten mile turn around and commented about it to the runner next to me. She noticed my shirt and we started talking about the New Year's Double and North Texas Runners. Her name was Danielle and it turns out we had a couple of friends in common. She is also training for her first marathon and works in education as well so we had alot in common. We ran together for about four miles before she ducked off for a pit stop. It was really nice to find company with someone who was of a similar pace. I look forward to meeting up with Danielle in the future at North Texas Runners events. I also passed my cheer squad again while I was running with Danielle. Those girls were making me laugh so hard, they are the best.


Danielle and I get a laugh

I was past the half marathon mark at this point and still felt pretty strong. It was getting warmer out and I was starting to feel the effects of the humidity. I took my gels as scheduled and enjoyed water and gator aide from the aide stations. I have also learned that I love a fresh sliced orange during a long run and was thankful to find them at a few of the rest stops. I was also really enjoying the music from my ipod and found myself drawing upon it for pacing help and motivation. Never doubt the power of good music! I started to feel the most tired somewhere between mile 17 and 18. I am not sure if it was the heat and humidity or if I was getting bored from lack of scenery and crowds, or both. I poured water on my head at one aide station and that seemed to help a little. Mile 18 was my slowest with a pace of 10:24, but then I rallied and pulled a 9:46 in mile 19.


Strong Finish!

Eventually I found myself in the last mile and I began to focus on a good finish. I rounded the corner and saw Erik and my friends there and I worked really hard because I wanted to look strong in front of all of them. I also noticed that I was going to be close to that 3:20 mark so I sprinted it in with all that I could muster. Official finish time: 3:19:46 MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!


Post Race with some of the gang

Overall I was very pleased with this race. I felt tired at times, but never like I couldn't go on. My average pace was just under 10:00, which was exactly where it needed to be on a warm and windy day. My mile splits were fairly consistent too with some negative splits in the back half of the race. I also felt like my nutrition was working well for me. Knowing that I can run 20 miles in race conditions has done a ton to boost my confidence. I have no doubt that the marathon will bring me great challenge and even some pain, but I also have confidence that I will survive. I feel proud of the work that I have done in training and I am looking forward to putting that training to the test. Next stop White Rock Marathon...and I can hardly wait!!


Thanks to Corina for the pictures!

DRC Half: Happy Half-A-Versary!

I am finally getting around to writing about the Dallas Running Club Half (DRC Half)that was run on November 6. This seems to be a very special race in the Dallas running community--it celebrated its 35th Anniversary this year and it was the first half marathon for many Dallas area runners, myself included. It is a favorite of mine because while it is one of the bigger area races, it still maintains a family-like feel. I went to this race alone (Erik was enjoying the wilds of Montana), but was surrounded by friends (frunners, if you will) the entire time.


All Smiles with Lesley

I had some big hopes coming into this race--because it was my 4th time to run it I felt very familiar with the turf. I have run very well here in the past and even clocked a 1:52:50 here last year. The course is not the easiest as it is fairly hilly in the middle (hilly by our flat Dallas standards anyway). However, these hopes began to shift a little bit as the weather forecast became more clear. I am starting to thing that we have somehow angered the running weather gods. I had beautiful runs during the week in temperatures that were in the 40s, but by the time Sunday came around it was 65 degrees and very humid again. This seems to be a pattern for 2011, maybe 2012 will bring us some better luck. I knew before we even started that a super speedy race was probably not in the cards (it was 50 degrees and perfect in 2010 when I ran that 1:52) as I am just not as fast when the temps and humidity creep up. It is all good though, right....gotta remember the big picture here....the "m" word...


Pre Race with EW & Mark O.

I ran into so many friends before the race and even smiled for a few pictures. EW and Mark O. are handy with their cameras and I found them at the bag check tent. I also ran into Lesley here as she was preparing to pace another one of her runners to a PR. I told you--one is never really alone when so many runners are gathered! I lined up between the 1:50 and 2:00 pace groups and listened to a beautiful rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner". Then the announcer proclaimed "we are the Dallas Running Club and TODAY WE RUN!" (call me a dork, but that gives me chills every single time) and the starting gun fired. The beginning of a huge race is always a little bit tricky and I just focused on making progress without tripping myself or anyone around me. My legs already felt heavy and I just focused on forward progress, good form, and a consistent pace.

Splits:
Mile 1 8:56
Mile 2 8:44
Mile 3 8:34
Mile 4 9:00

The first four miles are fairly flat and my pace seems to reflect that. It seems clear to me that the first four miles were when I was "adjusting my expectations" for the day, accepting this as a training run, and trying to settle in on a pace.

The biggest climbs and rolling hills came sometime between miles 4.5 and 8 and I feel fairly pleased with the consistency of pace for miles 6 thru 8:

Mile 5 8:47
Mile 6 9:08
Mile 7 9:07
Mile 8 9:08

This is when things really started to feel hard for me. I remember yanking of my cap(which I wore because light rain was in the forecast)and realizing that my sunglasses went flying. I had them on top of my hat in case the sun came out (thankfully it never did), but I had to turn back for a bit to look for my glasses--which were nowhere in sight! A kind runner behind me had spotted them and pointed them out to me. I had no idea what my hair looked like at this point, I just knew that it was a smothering kind of hot under that cap and I needed some fresh air on my head.

Mile 9 9:25
Mile 10 9:01
Mile 11 9:09

I tried to focus on how this was the third anniversary of my first half marathon (first one in 2008) and how far I had come as a runner. This was half marathon number 29 for me in just three years! I also tried to focus on how the increased workload of marathon training has caused my legs to feel extra fatigued. This half marathon was proving to be super challenging to me....reminding me that even though it was my 29th, it is still a long way to run and that I should always respect the distance.
I was taking a little more time at the water stops because I was feeling so hot, but snapped to attention when the 2:00 pace group passed me. I suddenly had a new focus--catch that group and don't let them get ahead again!! This is reflected in mile 12:

Mile 12 8:59
But I began to feel the fatigue again by 13...not so sure what happened here...
Mile 13 9:27
Needless to say, I couldn't keep ahead of that 2:00 group...but I dug deep and sprinted it on in past the finish line. I desperately wanted that sub 2:00 finish and I was so very close!

Official Time: 2:00:04

If you know anything about me, you know that I am a perfectionist and am my own harshest critic. Initially I felt very disappointed with my finish time not just because I finished just above 2:00, but because I had to work so stinking hard for that 2:00:04. However, I soon got over that and moved on with a few lessons learned...one, always respect the distance and two, focus on the big goal here (that "M" word again) 2:00 is not a bad time for a training run!

After I finished I stood and the finish line and was humbled by what I saw. Dallas is lucky enough to be a city with a chapter of the Back on My Feet
organization. BOMF is a great charity that "promotes the self-sufficiency homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem." As I stood at the finish line a BOMF runner came through--hugs were exchanged and tears were flowing. It was hard to contain my own emotions...what a powerful thing this running stuff can be!


Post Race with Cat & Daniel

I had a great time hanging out post race and ran into several friends including Mark L. and his son Cairo. Cairo is fifteen and decided to train for this half marathon with his dad. He had an amazing first run (sub 1:50 and beat his old man!) and will be back for more, no doubt about it! Read about Cairo and Mark's race here. I also ran into Texas Independence Relay vanmates friends Cat and Daniel and enjoyed a delicious Mexican food feast with them after the race. Like I said, one is never alone as long as there are frunners around!

There was little time to lick my wounds because a big marathon training milestone was coming up the very next weekend--the Fort Worth Marathon 20 Miler. Stay tuned...report coming soon!

(Thanks to EW, Mark O., and Lesley for the pictures)