Yep, another half marathon

The great thing about half marathons is that they don't require much training (if your goal is completion) - I repeat: MUCH training.  Then again, some idiots just wing them, asking for pain and injury.  Exhibit A:  me.  My training has been pathetic at barely 20 miles per week, yet I 'winged' my fourth half marathon of 2013 on March 24, 2013.  And it did hurt a little, but last year, I ran it on a recently dislocated patella, so there was plenty of room for improvement.  So here's the Alamo 13.1 Half Marathon...

On Sunday morning, I parked my car and jumped on a BCycle to ride down to the start/finish at the Alamo.  After I checked the BCycle in and got ready for the start, the wind picked up and the temperature dropped ten degrees.  So, the first half of the half was run into a 35 mph headwind (I hate running in wind).

The wind ruffles the feathers of the crazy running chicken.

and, somehow, after climbing the hills of Trinity University and turning around, the anticipated tail wind turned into a crosswind - but I had some fun on the Riverwalk

zombie-style.  And I finished - probably my best HM of this (non-training) year - but puro crazy running chicken, about to launch.

Then I jumped back on a BCycle to cycle back to the car - and got knocked over by a wind gust.  Yeah, I was pretty sore the next day - maybe I train for the next half, no?

Thanks to Victor and PhotoWolfe.com for the pics (PhotoWolfe actually posted all of the pics for free downloading, which was very, very cool)

Busy weekend warrior

I'm a bit late in this post, but I got slammed by Women's 5k race directing/sequestering/dog limping/PTSD fire cat fostering/ALJ applying/and a bunchofotherstuff.  But, last Saturday, I ran the Alamo Run Fest inaugural half marathon. 

I'm continuing my 'training plan' from January - run fewer than 10 miles during the week, then pull a long run out of somewhere on the weekend - dumb, dumb, dumb.  But, this run went to the West Side, where very few races are run.  And, they held it, so I had to come.  The last time I raced on the West Side, I was chased by stray dogs (2nd or 3rd best time ever), but this time, I only saw 5 strays, so I was pretty slow.  The first 12 miles were fine, but I really felt the lack of training in the last looooong, straight, Alamodome finish in view, but it's not getting any closer, stretch. 

So, of course, those are the only pics I have - and they sure are the ugliest.

Here I am, pretending to be normal for a couple of strides..

Then being a clown and acting like I still have energy

The race finished in the Alamodome, a la the old marathon course - I was about 1/3 mile away, and, checking my Garmin, was thankful that the course might be a little short (the old marathon finish involved entering the tunnel and finishing).  I was secretly fine with a short course.  No such luck - I entered the tunnel and had to run AROUND the inside of the Dome to finish. 

Had the course been short, I may have been able to finish looking like a normal runner; however, that extra lap brought out the crazy running chicken...

Yep, total crazy chicken. And here's what a crazy running chicken looks like when she checks out how chicken-like she is on the jumbotron....

SURPRISED crazy running chicken!  So, that kind of hurt and was my 4th 13.1+ mile race of the year (not counting the Ragnar relay).  I have learned my lesson, did not race this weekend (worked OT, since the future's looking bleak), and don't plan on running another half marathon waaaay until next Sunday.

Thanks to capstonephoto.com for the pics - I'm sure you don't mean that bottom bit.  If you do, I AM buying one of these pics and have no money, so suing me is a bust.

Back to back - And I don't wanna miss a thing

Cue Aerosmith.  Let me try this - listen here while you read?

So, to finish out almost 65 miles of racing in January, I ran the Endurathon (hilly) half marathon on Saturday and the Herothon half marathon on Sunday.  Because, I don't wanna miss a thing (and I'm dumb).  I laid back in training - just 12 or so miles per week - but laid on the racing mileage this month.  I do NOT recommend this approach.

So, Saturday I headed out in the drizzle to run the Endurathon HM through the hills of Bulverde.  It was not pretty.

Ironically, though I did not get eaten earlier this month during ~20 miles in Florida by an alligator or 25k in Big Bend by a mountain lion/bear, I almost got crushed by a deer in this race.  But I saw a llama, a pig, goats, horses, cows, and many doggies.  But it still hurt - especially during the uphill finish - this certainly ain't pretty

And then I took some food, a shower, and a nap - and continued on the weekend-long marathon.  (Note: it's almost easier to just run 26.2 in one shot, rather than taking an 18-hour break in between half marathons).  So, I went to pick up my race packet at the expo as "Laura Guerrero" (not my usual alias - but it is now my superhero name).

and I tried to look tough - but I really just went to go eat and sleep some more.  'Cause that's what superheroes do.

And then I hit the road again for another 13.1 miles.  I won't lie - my mind was beat and my body was beat (and really not decently trained), but I did it (albeit in tights - I hate tights, but I needed some reinforcement to keep my legs and knee from spontaneously exploding).

yeeks.

But, there's worse --

yep, classic crazy running chicken form. Cluck cluck.

But, I am not a one-show/pose pony - I still can put on a great running zombie closer to the finish

 Wait, no, upon closer examination (I dare you to zoom that pic) - that is clearly surprised crazy running chicken form.

And then, there is that wonderful moment.  That moment when you realize that you have 0.1 miles to finish 65 miles of race route over the mere 31 days of the month.  Because you clearly couldn't miss out on a thing, because you are dumb, because it is almost done...

And then it is - in perhaps the worst finish time ever

But I finished and got a sparkly medal

So, I made it through a 5k, 197 mile relay in Florida, 25k trail in Big Bend, and 2 HMs in a month.  I didn't die, but I may need to edit my races and only do what is sensible, and not what is available.  Riiiiiiiiight - I don't wanna miss a thing.  So, next up, Superbowl 7k on Sunday.  Yeah, I don't learn lessons very well.

Thanks to Belinda, Tom Lake/SARR, and Endurophoto for the pics

yep, another almost famous

At today's Endurathon half marathon, a buddy mentioned my pic on the Alamo 13.1 site (race report on the HM to follow).  So, in between dragging myself into the shower and a nap, I checked it out.  Yep, there I am:

or check it out at http://alamo131.com/  I had no business running that race last year - it was about 3 weeks after I dislocated my patella and it was still subluxed (hence the tights).  I'll be wearing tights again tomorrow for back-to-back half marathons, but more on that later....

dang joints - all around

So, my right knee is still deformed and hurting.  The other knee just aches.  And I really, really was thinking about maybe (not really) going to the MD.  But, instead I went to the DVM - because Gwen was limping.  She hated it as much as I hate the MD:

I tried to crowd her x-ray to get a dual diagnosis for the $49 exam fee, but, apparently, all doctors are against me.  He did glance at my knee and say "wow, you need to get that evaluated."  Excellent.  The good news is that Gwen is just probably older than I think, has a shoulder strain, and osteoarthritis.  We're now on the same meds - a ton of 'motrin' and joint juice (glucosamine/chondrontrin) - but hers is beef flavored and mine just tastes like crud.

So, to heck with the docs - I ran the inaugural Alamo 13.1 half marathon on Sunday.  It was a nice race along routes I usually run, but it was hot.  I wore compression tights for my knee, even though I dislike tights almost as much as doctors - especially in the heat.  But I did get a fabulous pic!

It was around mile 4-6, and I heard the gal in the blue shorts talking
Blue shorts (to friend):  There's a photographer, pull your shorts down and smile
Me (conversation bombing):  No, no - you pose.  Like THIS!
Photographer: AWESOME.  you rock!

So, that made me feel better/ignore the knee for a bit -- until we climbed Trinity University.  Even worse was the descent.  I won't lie - the last 3 miles hurt like heck.

 But I made it and was supplied with my favorite painkiller - Alamo Ale (thanks, Eugene & Jackie!).

the bling made it hurt less too

And then I iced and rested.  Next up - 2 5ks this weekend.  Because I'm not sure which I dislike more: doctors or my right knee.

Thanks to JohnO, Yvonne, and Brightroom for the pics

3M half marathon

On the heels of returning from Big Bend, I ran the 3M half marathon in Austin this Sunday.  (Note:  I normally put about 7,500 miles or less on my car per year - and drove almost 1,900 solo miles in the past two weeks!)  In the interest of full disclosure, I mainly ran this run for the swag bag of 3M products:

Also, the course is net downhill, so it should be "Fast. Easy. Fun."  No such hope.

Well, the night before, I attended my running buddy, Julia's, 80th birthday.  I actually have to create a new 80 and up age group now for the Women's Run this year.  She's truly a remarkable friend and an icon of the running community (every time she enters a new age group, most race directors add the new 'and up' 5-year age group).  I can merely hope to be running and rescuing animals like she does - at even approaching the age of 80.

Then, the race started at 0645 the next morning in North Austin, so it was an EARLY start for me.  And, after about 9 miles of downhill-ish-ness, I realized my calves still hated me after the Big Bend 25k and driving and driving, and they rebelled.  But I finished - not my best, not my worst, but still a painful drive home.

Here's the view from the finish line

And my shiny medal

While I was in Austin, I was called by compadres I served with in Bosnia - Mark and Laurie - who are now RET and passing through town.  We met up for dinners the past couple of nights, along with Jessica, another CJSOTF-Sarjevo compadre now stationed in San Antonio - and regaled each other with some old war stories.  Here's Laurie 'playing' with a monkey at Bass Pro Shop

It's hard to believe that it was over 10 years ago that we were 'playing' in the Balkan mountains over there.  Next thing you know, I WILL be 80 years old!  Until then, next up is 'just' a local 10k trail run which may hurt.

thanks to Brightroom and 3M for the pics

Pimpin' my podcar

My wee coche has been through some things - like this

So, for her 5 1/3 y/o birthday, after driving 1,100 miles last weekend, my little podcar busted a flat.  Luckily, it was in my driveway

It was about time for new tires, anyway, and I HATE those cheap plastic hubcaps (I ripped them all off after that picture).  So, I went for a little podcar bling and now we have tires that can run into things and not get hurt (much - and OBVIOUSLY not fuzzy things) - which is really more important to me than the bling.  I really just want to be able to run into things and bounce down my street safely.

So, now we should be able to make it to the next up - 3M half marathon - if we wake up dayum early on Sunday.  (after working some OT for this pimpin')

Delayed race report - Big Bend 25k trail run

I'm behind.  It started at Thanksgiving, which is usually the weekend I prepare/send all my holiday cards, send out holiday gifts, and transfer my calendar into the following year (old school, Filofax style).  This year, I have been late on all of that, and only finally transferred my calendar this weekend -- realizing that I'm nearing the end of January 2012 - ALREADY.

But, things and races got in my way -- and here is the race report from my 3d race of the year - the Big Bend Ultra trail run (I just ran the 25k).  For those of you who don't know (like I didn't last year) -- Big Bend is here - very, very far away from most things (other than Mexico).  Zoom as you need to, but that is a 6.5-7 hour drive from San Antonio. (Note: click on any pic below to make it larger)

So, I headed out along the more scenic, albeit very lonely I90 route along the Rio Grande.  And saw my favorite sign

(I did NOT pick up any new inmate boyfriends).  In fact, you don't see ANYONE out here.  No cars, no cellphone coverage, cue banjos....and then, you are really glad to hit a border patrol stop for a little 'company.'

below picture is Mexico - across the Rio

and no cars in sight

Pecos river

still no cars and about 3 hours to drive

But, eventually, I made it to Big Bend National Park - and my cozy lodge room (you guys camping are suckers!), where this was my view of The Window

and as sunset approached in the Chisos Basin

On Saturday, I drove around the park (all told - 1,100 miles on my car for the weekend, which is over 1/7th of my annual mileage).  Most of this was on my own and, while wading across the Rio Grande at one point, I realized that nobody in the whole world knew EXACTLY where I was (no cell phone coverage, either) -- I'm glad I didn't get eaten by a bear.

proof of illegal immigrant ponies

who altruistically brought these semi-legal goods across the river, I'm sure

Here's the view across the Rio to Boquillos, Mexico (border crossing opening this Spring!)

Then, it was off to the hot springs (and it was hot)

In the hot springs (I thought it was going to be cold in January - air temp around 72 degrees, water around 101-102 degrees)

near the area I allegedly may have crossed over and touched Mexico, although only the donkeys saw me, if it happened - and nobody can prove it...

and this was the road my poor little podcar had to drive to get over/back there (the drop off is MUCH bigger than my car)

So, then there was the little race to run

Here's the cool shirt

and getting ready, set...

(It takes about 45-60 minutes to get to the staging area in the morning, and I almost hit a deer heading down the basin/mountain)  But, I made it to the windy, but decent-weather start (mid 40s with a breeze)

1st aid station (around 4.5-5 miles)

Here's where I started to sneak down into the secret canyon Whitney told me about, but then I remembered there were bears, mountain lions, spiders, and such out there, and I jumped back onto the race route (yep, I was chicken to try to run it alone).

had I run it, I would have emerged here (unless a bear got me)

but I kept on -- the next pic of me is the 3d aid station

(somewhere near here, you can see the finish across the desert for about 2-3 miles)....but it finally arrived

(on the other side, thank goodness!)
Here is my bling

and after eating the BEST veggie burger EVER (really) - relaxing at the campground w/ buddy Kim (she won first F masters for the 25k last year, and goofed off this year, running my 50meter pace!).

and then there was that cruddy Packers loss, a long solo ride home with sore feet, and a flat tire after I got home.  Which is my excuse for posting all of this beauty late. THIS weekend was a nice medium-distance run with buddies, followed by brunch.  Next weekend is the 3M half marathon in Austin -- if I get the new tires on!!