The race that shall remain unnamed

It was the worst race I've ever run - and I've run a fewtwofour?hundreds of races.  Where to start?  How about at the start - wrong start location posted, no potties, no parking, 20ish minute start delay, a 4-mile 5k, bad water stops, no course marshals, no course markings, trains, buses, 3 hours until results posted, and on and on.....BUT they did placate us with wine and I placed in the 10k - oh, wait, I ran the 4 mile 5k?!  And, the beer is STILL on its way....

I don't want to be completely negative, so here's my positive person spin.  The San Antonio Run, Rock, and Wine 5k was the best 4 mile late-starting, train-stopped, almost-run-over-by-two-busses, 5k I've ever run.  Really. 

(Disclaimer:  I put a LOT of [editor note: OCD] work and planning into the SARR Women's 5k [editor's note: an ACTUAL 5k, or 3.1 miles], and it really pisses me off that races charge more and do a REALLY terrible job of race planning.  Especially when I gave the race director an advance heads up that her course was WAY long, and she blew me off.  So, I'm an OCD grouchy race director, apparently - who just named names.

But, at least we took some good pics....

before the race con Veeeeector

one of the trains...

It's always that 4th mile of a 5k that gets you....and turns you into a crazy running chicken (I let Nate win...)

And it's not a wise idea to take 3 hours to post results....we're good at getting back into the wine line...

So, unless you are into 4 mile 5ks with no potties, much water (in the 90s), no frills, not much of anything - except for trains, buses, and a good band, I'd avoid Victory Runs-produced races.  Dang, another name...

Thanks to Victor and Michele for the pics

A brief break

Those of you who know me know that I was the Race Director for the 34th Annual SARR Women's 5k on July 20 - so I'm a bit behind the 8-ball this month....I'll try to catch up this month.  Here are some action shots from the race (650 female participants, 150 male volunteers, 1 tired me):

Thank you to Alexis for this awesomeness

awesomeness = a word

Because I couldn't write it better....

Here was my fabulous 40th, with a family 4 miler on the 4th. 

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Yep, it happened

There was something I've always been quite sure would never happen, yet it did.  I never planned on making it to 40 - it was just too far.  There were times I seemed to strive to make sure it wouldn't happen in my 20s (hitching a ride back from Matamoros, Mexico in a panel van driven by strangers and rappelling off a 70 foot bridge, for instance).  But it happened.

I turned 40.  And it wasn't so bad.  My family brought me home and helped me celebrate in grand fashion, including a 4.0 mile run with my sisters - who are the ones who dragged me back into the running world after the Army.  (My folks, brothers in law, 8 nephews, and niece were 'also rans!')  Here I am with the 2025ish Packers offensive line and coaching crew...

 And they gave me 40 gifts over the past weeks - which were a welcome break among the race entries.  The last was a lovely book of thoughts from friends and family from over the years.  It is very sweet - you guys clearly do not understand the mess of a crazy running chicken zombie I am, but I read it to cure myself of those afflictions.

And, so, here was my debut as a master runner.  Being a master sure didn't make me any faster or any un-sweaty-er.  That is a word in my world.

Freeda's 5K -- 3.0 miles to go

 

I honestly have NO idea what I was doing here - maybe explaining my theory on how to achieve world peace?  (because it only makes sense on a run, or while drinking wine)

Okay, this can only be described as prancercising.  Note the horrified runners to my left, house right.

Luckily, I snapped back into crazy running chicken mode.  Bok. Bok.
And I finished - worst time ever in my 40s.  And my masters PR - see how that works?

After the race, I enjoyed paletas and cervecas - and pimped my race. 

If you are not registered for the Women's 5K - fair warning:  I will find you, drag my 40-year-old butt to your house and crazy chicken prancercise all over your driveway.  And, this being Texas, I'm obviously trying to make turning 41 not happen.

Thanks to Ceci, IAAP, TimC, Belinda, and Scottydog for the pics!

 

Scallywompus Alamo Beer Challenge 5k

This past Friday evening, I headed out to the Scallywompus 5k - it's the first in a series of four races.  And, damn, it was HOT.  (The next day was a record in SA - 108 degrees.  Fahrenheit.  NOT heat index.  Like I could barely touch the steering wheel hot.)

And, so, it wasn't pretty...

Sweating BEFORE the run - with the ladies of Girls on the Run San Antonio - one of my favorite groups.
And then there was the during...

The last uphill hurts.
Until I see a camera and fake happy..

or cheesy bunny - more cheesy bunny than happy.  Then, I went full out "dying crazy running chicken" at the finish

As a dear friend pointed out, at least I look more lively than #45 - but she may just be reacting to all of my chicken-ness.  (spell check just informed me that is not a word)

So, really, I mostly looked like this -

Yep, I am Seussical (spell check doesn't think that's a word, either).

Thanks to IAAP, Ceci, Robert Parker, and Scallywompus for the pics

Next up - I turn 25 for the 16th time and, somehow, become a 'master.'