Two a days...

When I started my current job, I realized just HOW much of a hypochondriac I am.  With every file I wrote, I was sure I had hepatitis, degenerative disc disease, and even cyclical vomiting syndrome (it's real - I looked it up).  Gradually, I've convinced myself that I probably (luckily) don't have those impairments - and definitely not the prostate problems.  Yet, I remain fascinated with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - and I mentally diagnose EVERYONE around me.  Yes, even you as you read this - in doing so, you are clearly disturbed, and I am diagnosing you with bad things. 

My favorite is 'diagnosing' (NOTE:  I have NO formal medical training other than CPR and First Aid) people by their groceries in the HEB line.  Today, I determined the lady in front of me was clearly compulsive - her groceries were ordered heaviest to lightest, with coldest near the end - she has way too many cats and dogs, buys too many organic vegetables that will likely end up as compost, and she probably drinks too much Sauvignon Blanc.  Clearly a mess.  Then, I realized those were MY groceries, and my diagnosis was DEAD ON.  I love being right - mostly.

So, that's just the long way of saying I may be a little anxious/obsessive/compulsive - let's just say "not otherwise specified."  Before the Women's 5K, I sign up for every race I find, in order to market the Women's 5k.  After the Women's 5K, I sign up for every race I find, because see above.  So, I ended up registering for two races this past Saturday, compulsively, perhaps.

The first was the Fleet Feet Sunrise 5k (in a moment of lucidity, I dropped down to the 5K distance).  It was hot, but held in a nice venue, with a shady course. Here's before the race and the start:

And the finish...

Check out those new shoes!
Surprisingly (okay, shockingly), I ended up 2nd in my new old lady age group...

and we hung out in the hot, hot sun...

Then, I went home and obsessively sucked down water, napped, picked up my next race packet, drank some more water, napped some more, and got ready for the Scallywompus Battle of the Mac Pac 8K.  It was also blazing hot.  Before the race - that's water in the cup - I was still desperately trying to rehydrate and maybe trying not to look goofy.

 and we're off...

 Looking like a crazy running chicken .1 miles in - this could be bad

But I'm a SMILING crazy running chicken.

And done.  No medal for this one.  That is NOT my time (the 8K was on a delayed start).
After that, I worked on dehydrating...

And was on the lookout (paranoid?) for paparazzi

But I got over it and danced some...

with a water bottle slung over my shoulder.  Because that's how real dancers do it.
Luckily, better dancing followed.

And then I went home and obsessively drank water and slept - a lot. 

Next up is the Loteria 5K and some major housecleaning.  My OCD only applies to chores to the extent that I obsessively think about how much I don't want to clean the house and compulsively avoid such tasks by going for a run.

Thanks to IAAP, Victor, Michele, Scallywompus, and Emily Daum for the pics!

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

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.'

Beach to Bay Marathon Relay

I'm a little behind in posting - and, really, everything.  I was going to catch up on EVERYTHING this weekend, but I got tired and, well, this happened Friday night/Saturday morning...

Yeah, that purple section in the center - that's me.  We got around 12 inches of rain in 24 hours.  And San Antonio does not know what to do with rain...

 that's a city bus - about 1.5 miles from my house

and US 281 - about 2 miles from the house.  It didn't open until early evening on Monday.

So, while I'm paddling/drying out - here are the ugly pics from the Beach to Bay Marathon Relay on May 18, 2013 - from Padre Island to Corpus Christi, TX.  It was HOT - and I ran the last leg, after sweltering in the sun in the middle of a park for about 3 hours.  (I know, I'll be running in 100+ degree temps soon and laughing the whole way - or maybe just running - but May is always a difficult acclimatizing time.)  All the better to make some funny finish line pics....

that's a bit of crazy running chicken

but I didn't want to leave other birds out - so here's a little goose-step

And here, the buzzards were circling this full-out crazy running chicken.

Thanks to MV Productions, WOAI, and TransDOT for the pics.

Wildflower Women's 5K

I was going to run the 10K for this beautiful run through a wildflower farm, but I figured it was better to drink mimosas in the morning after 30 minutes of running, rather than 60 minutes.  So, I headed up to Fredricksburg for this pretty 5K run.

This place looks a little like my house

I wanted one of those balls - but they were pricey.

So, I ran like a crazy running chicken through the flower fields...

Then I chowed on a delicious brunch (scrambled eggs with tomato, spinach, and feta should be required at all races), washed down by mimosas and beer

And some wine

And then I bought way too many cacti, yard art(s), and herbs

 Thanks to RD, Billy G in his Hawaiian shirt

Packing the prickly plants in the podcar

And, I made it out without completely melting the credit card on this baby - $3k.  Since I'm turning 25 for the 16th time this year - someone should probably buy it for me!

All in all, a delightful run.  Next up: Beach to Bay Marathon Relay.

Thanks to Run in Texas, Michele, and Dulce for the pics!




















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