San Antonio - post race report

Well, has anyone told you how humid it was? I actually thought it was about 71% humidity, until I learned later that it was more like 94% humidity.

I loved seeing all the Gazelle's before and during the race, especially, my crew, AW, CC, AT, Double D. I really loved seeing CR, Leslie, and CW at the start. I was excited for them and hopeful. They don't know it, but they helped relax me.

I started out ok, probably the wrong placement and too fast for the weather. But, I was unaware. I made the cardinal mistake and started too fast, feeling too pressed by my previous times. I ran with some guys from the National Guard...they were helpful and supportive. Tall Dan came up and ran with me for awhile and really cheered me on.

I ate the hill, that was good. Saw LB twice. Dan cheered more great thoughts my way. Karen S ran alongside me for a bit which really gave me a boost. Gilbert picked up my Hail Mary at the exact spot in the prayer where I was...this is now the second time he's done this and it freaks me out. But, I know I am fading. Too fast fades to too slow to hit the number. Slow gets slower, now I am hanging on to qualifying for New York. A marathon I won't even go too...I know this, but it gives me something to strive for. I try, I push, I kick what I can.

I cross the finish, congratulate the women that I worked with on the course, pick up my stuff, change, sit on the curb and start to cry. I'm alone, no one I know is nearby, no Gazelles, no family. A poor showing for me. I haven't trained well; I tossed out the plan. I pick myself up and head to watch for my friends.

Good news, my foot held out. It doesn't swell, I am walking. I watch the elite marathoners come in and wonder what that is like.

Running and Mothering: The Obstacles

Well, I've been absent from blogging. Honestly, I just had to let something go. I have to say, that it's a struggle sometimes to get it all done. And, I'm not the most organized.

The flu kicked my Jersey butt. My son got "it", and then I did. The first week that I felt sick, I ran anyway. My family hates when I do that. But, seriously, anything above the shoulders, you run. In the chest, depends. Below the belt, definitely not!

So, then, since my immune system was compromised, when my son fell ill, I, naturally, got it. I have to say, the pain was horrible. I've had shingles, which can be painful. But with this flu, I ached through to my hip bones. It hurt to lay down.

Running suffered as a result and I am so not where I wanted to be for the San Antonio 1/2 Marathon. Aside from that, I have a killer over committed weekend with a 1/2 marathon in it.

I'm disappointed. I'm admitting it. I had some hopes to see the old Red at SA. But, now, I have to let it go. I honestly feel so unprepared. It's like not studying enough for the test. I can't wing it, but I will have to.

It might be a good lesson for me. Letting go. Just doing it. The problem that I have is that I don't know when to push harder or if I am. I don't know how to gauge it yet.

I ran hard today along the Endfield. I was pissed. I was mad that I'm not as disciplined as I should be, that I didn't get up to run on Saturday, that I stopped going to the gym.

If I'm going to have a good race in Boston, I have got to hunker down.