But I came to my senses

Today was the Endurathon 25k/HM/HM Relay in Bulverde - I've always run the HM or 25k.  But it's always cold, and hilly, and big-trucks-trying-to-push-me-off-the-road-y, so I conned my buddy, Laura, into running the relay with me.  And, it was a bit cold, and hilly, and the truck thing - but it was a fun race.  and recovery...

Big Bend or bust

How does one follow up an untrained half marathon?  Obviously - by running an untrained 25k trail run - in the middle of nowhere.

For the fourth year in a row, I made the ~7 hour drive to Big Bend National Park for the Big Bend 50-25-10 over the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. 

And, for the first, year, the border was open!  Every year, I have looked across the Rio Grande to Boquillas, MX, and watched a guy ride a horse across the river to illegally set out trinkets for sale, but the opening of the crossing continued to be delayed.  This year, I finally was able to make the trip.

First, we took the "international ferry" - yep, it's a 30 second row-boat ride.

Then (my favorite) we rode burros into town!

My leeeetle friend (I have a water bottle and my bag stuffed in the front of my jacket - I am NOT pregnant).  And here's what the ride looked like:

She was a very nice burro - who apparently really loved Rose's burro.  I am now sure I need a pet burro.

So, we formed the Brak Pak Chiks posse.  I'm pretty sure we looked scary enough to ward off any banditos.

 

The guys didn't want to play our burro games and walked into town.

 

Then, like the fine athletes we are, we prepared for the next day's 25K by consuming Mexican beer and tequila - and enchiladas.

So, then there was that matter of a 15.5 mile trail race from the mountains through the desert and on to el rio...we were perky (and chilly) at the start:

And the run was as tough and beautiful as ever.  Here are my proof of life pictures at aid stations 1 & 2 - just in case a bear attacked me, I would have proof I had made it that far...

Then, a trail gnome tripped me at about mile 10.  I sliced the tip of my right thumb off and tore up my left side - but that right hand and left arm were the things protecting my head, so it could have been worse.

So my aid station 3 proof of life picture is with the left hand, since the right was still bleeding.

But, with the help of half of Nate's toilet paper stash, I made it to the finish - to take this super cheesy (I'm not really in that much - oh yes I am - pain) finish line pic.

Then, it was homeward bound...

Thanks to Ceci, Paul, Dulce, and Nate for the pics

2014 has not brought new knowledge

In 2013, I ran a bunch of half marathons without training much - which was dumb.  It seems the dumbness has carried over into 2014.  On Sunday, January 5, I ran the Carrerathon Half Marathon (without much training).  It was cold, with 20 mph winds (and I didn't train).  So, we hid under the bleachers until the last minute.

Then, it was off to run 13.1 miles and not get blown away.  I won't lie - it hurt, especially the last 1.5 miles, when my calves were cramping due to the cold, poor nutrition, and (just maybe) lack of training.  So, we have some nice, ugly shots of me limping into the finish:

Yeah, that was dumb.  For the rest of 2014, I shall faithfully train for each distance.  Um, next up, Big Bend 25K.

Thanks to Ceci, Laura, and Scottydog for the pics

Ringing in 2014

Holy cats - it is already 2014.  At the nascence of each year, I like to think what the coming days will bring.  Right now, I'm thinking only four more years of payments on my vacation home student loan.  But, I'm sure there will be more to 2014 and beyond than that nasty thing, which is now more than my mortgage.  Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be lawyers.

I rung in the New Year with a fantastic fireworks display at Adrian & Darlene's casa - with the multiple (professional) fireworks lighting up the horizon.  Then, I hit the SARR Cobweb Chaser - a fun 5k (unless one maybe stabbed her quadriceps a little TOO hard with the Enbrel - I was sore).  But, it's always a nice time to come together and celebrate with local runners.

 Check out that fancy jacket Gretchen gave me...

 With Scottydog (he ran 75 races last year)

 with the old school crew - guarding the beer

 And with Gargamel, the escape-dog who returned home after a year

Sadly, the new year also brought the news that a runner was stabbed to death in a San Antonio park.  I did not know her, but the event hurt the whole San Antonio running community - which is really a collective conscience.  I am terrible about taking off on a run without telling anyone, wearing headphones (low, and just one), running by myself at strange hours, not carrying a phone, and, really, making myself a target.  So, let's promise each other that we will be more careful, and run in peace, Lauren Bump.

Lauren Bump

Read More at: http://news4sanantonio.com//news/features/top-stories/stories/arrest-made-op-schnabel-park-murder-7078.shtml

Thanks to Ceci, Scottydog, and Tom Lake/SARR for the pics